weɪl n. & v. --n. 1 a prolonged
plaintive inarticulate loud high-pitched
cry of
pain,
grief, etc. 2 a
sound like or
suggestive of
this. --v. 1 intr. utter a wail. 2 intr.
lament or
complain persistently or bitterly. 3 intr. (of
the wind etc.)
make a sound like a
person wailing. 4 tr.
poet. or rhet.
bewail; wail
over. øWailing
Wall a
high wall in Jerusalem
said to
stand on the
site of Herod's temple,
where Jews traditionally
pray and lament on Fridays. øøwailer n. wailful adj. poet. wailingly adv. [ME f.
ON, rel. to WOE]