English Explanatory Dictionary

caterwaul

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To cry as cats in heat; to make a harsh, offensive noise.
  2. To have a noisy argument, like cats.
noun
  1. A yowling.
  2. A noisy quarrel.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæt.ə.wɔːl/ /ˈkæt.ɚ.wɔl/ /ˈkæt.ɚ.wɑl/ en-us-caterwaul.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-caterwaul.wav

Word forms

caterwaul caterwauls caterwauling caterwauled

Etymology

From Middle English caterwrawen, from cater (“cat”) + wrawen, wrawlen (“cry like a cat”), equivalent to cat + waul. Compare Low German katerwaulen (“to cry like a cat”) and Middle Dutch cater (“tomcat”) (Dutch kater).

Derived words

caterwauler
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