Associations to the word «Wail»

Wiktionary

WAIL, noun. A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
WAIL, noun. Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
WAIL, noun. A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.
WAIL, verb. (intransitive) To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
WAIL, verb. (intransitive) To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
WAIL, verb. (intransitive) To make a noise like mourning or crying.
WAIL, verb. (transitive) To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
WAIL, verb. (slang) (music) To perform with great liveliness and force.
WAIL, verb. (obsolete) To choose; to select.
WAIL ON, verb. (slang) To strike an opponent heavily and repeatedly in a fight.
WAIL ON, verb. (slang) To beat heavily on anything.

Dictionary definition

WAIL, noun. A cry of sorrow and grief; "their pitiful laments could be heard throughout the ward".
WAIL, verb. Emit long loud cries; "wail in self-pity"; "howl with sorrow".
WAIL, verb. Cry weakly or softly; "she wailed with pain".

Wise words

Words, words, words! They shut one off from the universe. Three quarters of the time one's never in contact with things, only with the beastly words that stand for them.
Aldous Huxley