caterwaul
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English caterwrawe (one of numerous earlier variants); from cater (“‘cat’”) + wrawen/wrawlen (“‘cry like a cat’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to caterwaul (third-person singular simple present caterwauls, present participle caterwauling, simple past and past participle caterwauled)
- (intransitive) To cry as cats in rutting time; to make a harsh, offensive noise.
- (intransitive) To have a noisy argument, like cats.
[edit] Translations
to cry as cats
to have a noisy argument
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Translations to be checked
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
caterwaul (plural caterwauls)
- A yowling.
- A noisy quarrel.
[edit] References
- caterwaul in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
