bleat

[ bleet ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf or a sound resembling such a cry.

verb (used with object)

1. to give forth with or as if with a bleat:

   He bleated his objections in a helpless rage.

2. to babble; prate.

noun

1. the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf.
2. any similar sound:

   the bleat of distant horns.

3. foolish, complaining talk; babble:

   I listened to their inane bleat all evening.

bleat

/ bliːt /

verb

1. intr (of a sheep, goat, or calf) to utter its characteristic plaintive cry
2. intr to speak with any similar sound
3. to whine; whimper

noun

1. the characteristic cry of sheep, goats, and young calves
2. any sound similar to this
3. a weak complaint or whine

Derived Forms

• ˈbleating, nounadjective
• ˈbleater, noun

Other Words From

• bleater noun
• bleating·ly adverb
• outbleat verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleat¹

before 1000; Middle English bleten, Old English blǣtan; cognate with Dutch blaten, Old High German blāzen; akin to Latin flēre to weep

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleat¹

Old English blǣtan ; related to Old High German blāzen , Dutch blaten , Latin flēre to weep; see blare

Example Sentences

The poor child didn't understand why Teacher Thomas should stare so at her, and she let out one long, unending bleat.

From Project Gutenberg

Let blue flames rise from the living sulphur and the sheep bleat loud as she feels the touch of the smoking sulphur.

From Project Gutenberg

As one company passed, the measured bleat and squeal of the pipes faded and merged into a sound heralding the approach of another.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a half-bred Angora kid—the little animal whose bleat we had heard.

From Project Gutenberg

A shrill bleat came to our ears—came from the bush on the further side of the hole to us, but still a little way beyond it.

From Project Gutenberg