A.Word.A.Day --caterwaul

A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact

Home

Today's Word

caterwaul

PRONUNCIATION:

(KAT-uhr-wol)

MEANING:

verb intr.:	1. To make a shrill sound as if of a cat in heat or of cats quarreling.
	2. To quarrel noisily.
noun:	1. The cry of a cat in heat.
	2. A shrill sound, such as a shriek or a loud cry.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Middle English caterwawlen, from cater (tomcat or cat) + wawlen (to howl). Earliest documented use: 1386.

USAGE:

“She threw her arms around me and started caterwauling like the wail of the damned.”
Dan Andriacco; Holmes Sweet Holmes; MX Publishing; 2018.

See more usage examples of caterwaul in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Catch-and-release, that's like running down pedestrians in your car and then, when they get up and limp away, saying -- Off you go! That's fine. I just wanted to see if I could hit you. -Ellen DeGeneres, comedian, television host, and actress (b. 26 Jan 1958)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise