pule

American  

[pyool] / pjul /

verb (used without object)

puled, puling

1. to cry in a thin voice; whine; whimper.

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pule British  

/ pjuːl /

verb

1. (intr) to cry plaintively; whimper

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Other Word Forms

• puler
  noun

Etymology

Origin of pule

First recorded in 1525–35; perhaps imitative

Explanation

To pule is to cry, but not loudly. Puling is weak, soft crying. It's a pathetic sound. Unfortunately, there are many ways to cry. You can bawl, which is loud crying. On the other end of the spectrum, you can pule. When you pule, you're crying weakly at a low volume. When dogs are scared, they often pule. Children sometimes pule when they don't get their way. People pule when they're sad, frightened, heartbroken, or tired. People pule when they don't have the energy to cry louder.

Example Sentences

We pule again, and then we line up to scoop food onto our plates.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Once everyone is present, Tūtū opens us with a pule, prayer.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Pule aku la o Halaaniani a hiki i ka hapalua o ka manawa; ku ana ua nalu, hoomau aku la oia i ka pule a hiki i ka Amama ana.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

Ia manawa, pule aku la oia i kona akua, e hai mai i ke ano o kela anuenue ana e ike nei; aka, aole i loaa i kona akua ka hookoia o kana pule.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren