puling

[pyoo-ling]

adjective

whining; whimpering: a puling child.

Origin of puling

First recorded in 1520–30; pule + -ing²

Related formspul·ing·ly, adverb

pule

[pyool]

verb (used without object), puled, pul·ing.

to cry in a thin voice; whine; whimper.

Origin of pule

First recorded in 1525–35; perhaps imitative

Related formspul·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for puling

whimper, cry, repine, whine, snivel, weep

Examples from the Web for puling

Historical Examples of puling

Even the puling creature writhed under the lash of Mary's tones.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
But 'tis a puling fool, more fitting for the bowers of ladies.'
King Arthur's Knights
Henry Gilbert
A puling fool, not worthy even to breed her kind into the world.
Nicanor - Teller of Tales
C. Bryson Taylor
What right has he to have a son like that when I have nothing but a puling girl?
Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1909 to 1922
Lucy Maud Montgomery
These ideas will not suit the puling sentimentalism of the boudoir and the boarding-school.
The Quadroon
Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for puling

pule

verb

(intr) to cry plaintively; whimper

Derived Formspuler, noun

Word Origin for pule

C16: perhaps of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for puling

pule

"cry in a thin, weak voice," 1530s, from French piauler (16c.) "to cheep, chirp," echoic (cf. Italian pigolare "to cheep as a chicken"). Related: Puled; puling.