cooee

[ koo-ee ]

noun

1. a prolonged, shrill, clear call or cry used as a signal by Aboriginal inhabitants of Australia and adopted by the settlers in the country.

verb (used without object)

, coo·eed, coo·ee·ing.

1. to utter the call “cooee.”

cooee

/ ˈkuːiː /

interjection

1. a call used to attract attention, esp (originally) a long loud high-pitched call on two notes used in the Australian bush

verb

1. intr to utter this call

noun

1. informal.
   calling distance (esp in the phrase within ( a ) cooee ( of ))

Word History and Origins

Origin of cooee¹

First recorded in 1780–90, cooee is from the Dharuk word gu-wī

Word History and Origins

Origin of cooee¹

C19: from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

One was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cry Cooee!

From Project Gutenberg

When about a hundred yards from the Pool I heard a cry of Cooee!

From Project Gutenberg

When about a hundred yards from the pool I heard a cry of “Cooee!”

From Project Gutenberg

One was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cry ‘Cooee!’

From Project Gutenberg

The Coroner: I understand that the cry of Cooee was a common signal between you and your father?

From Project Gutenberg