ululate
[uhl-yuh-leyt, yool-]
- to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl.
- to utter howling sounds, as in shrill, wordless lamentation; wail.
- to lament loudly and shrilly.
Show More
Origin of ululate
1615–25; < Latin ululātus, past participle of ululāre to howl, shriek, of imitative orig.; see -ate1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ululation
Historical Examples
He could not bring himself to be flung into that vortex of ululation.
Sinister Street, vol. 2Compton Mackenzie
It was odd to see the effect that the ululation of the wild cat crying out in the woods had had upon the strapping frontiersman.
The Bungalow Boys Along the YukonDexter J. Forrester
ululate
- (intr) to howl or wail, as with grief
Show More
Word Origin
C17: from Latin ululāre to howl, from ulula screech owl
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 ululation
n.
1590s, from Latin ululationem (nominative ululatio) "a howling or wailing," noun of action from past participle stem of ululare "ululate," a reduplicated imitative root (cf. Greek ololyzein "to cry aloud," Sanskrit ululih "a howling," Lithuanian uluti "howl," Gaelic uileliugh "wail of lamentation," Old English ule "owl").
Show More
ululate
v.
1620s, from Latin ululatus, past participle of ululare (see ululation). Related: Ululated; ululating.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper