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wail
[ weyl ]
/ weÉȘl /
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verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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Origin of wail
First recorded in 1300â50; Middle English weile (verb and noun), perhaps derivative of Old English weilÄwei wellaway; compare Old English wÇŁlan âto torment,â Old Norse wÇŁla âto wailâ
OTHER WORDS FROM wail
wail·er, nounun·wailed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wail
wail , whaleWords nearby wail
waiata, waif, Waikaremoana, Waikato, Waikiki, wail, wailful, wailing, Wailing Wall, wail like a banshee, wailsome
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use wail in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for wail
wail
/ (weÉȘl) /
verb
(intr) to utter a prolonged high-pitched cry, as of grief or misery
(intr) to make a sound resembling such a crythe wind wailed in the trees
(tr) to lament, esp with mournful sounds
noun
a prolonged high-pitched mournful cry or sound
Derived forms of wail
wailer, nounwailful, adjectivewailfully, adverbWord Origin for wail
C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse vÇŁla to wail, Old English wÄ woe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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