keening

English

Etymology

From Irish caoineadh.

Adjective

keening (not comparable)

1. Sharp, shrill, especially of a sound.

   The keening sound of a dentist's drill sets my teeth on edge.

Noun

keening (countable and uncountable, plural keenings)

1. Intense mournful wailing after a death, often at a funeral or wake
2. (by extension) An unpleasant wailing sound.

Verb

keening

1. present participle of keen

Anagrams

• kneeing