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Bale vs Wail - What's the difference?

bale | wail |

In obsolete terms the difference between bale and wail

is that bale is a large fire, a conflagration or bonfire while wail is to choose; to select.

In transitive terms the difference between bale and wail

is that bale is to wrap into a bale while wail is to lament; to bewail; to grieve over.

bale

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

Noun

(-)
  • Evil, especially considered as an active force for destruction or death.
  • Suffering, woe, torment.
  • * 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.7:
    • That other swayne, like ashes deadly pale, / Lay in the lap of death, rewing his wretched bale .
    Derived terms
    * baleful

    Etymology 2

    Form (etyl) (which may have been the direct source for the English word).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A large fire, a conflagration or bonfire.
  • (archaic) A funeral pyre.
  • (archaic) A beacon-fire.
    • Derived terms
    * balefire * baleful

    Etymology 3

    Precise derivation uncertain: perhaps from (etyl) (m), (m), from , from (etyl); or perhaps from (etyl) (m), itself borrowed from (etyl).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A rounded bundle or package of goods in a cloth cover, and corded for storage or transportation.
  • A bundle of compressed wool or hay, compacted for shipping and handling.
  • A measurement of hay equal to 10 flakes. Approximately 70-90 lbs (32-41 kg).
  • A measurement of paper equal to 10 reams.
    • Derived terms
    * bale of dice
    Coordinate terms
    * (measurement of paper) bundle, quire, ream
    See also
    *

    Verb

    (bal)
  • To wrap into a bale.

    • Etymology 4

    Alternative spelling of (bail)

    Verb

    (bal)
  • (British, nautical) To remove water from a boat with buckets etc.

    • See also

    *

    Anagrams

    * English terms with multiple etymologies ----

    wail

    English

    Etymology 1

    Probably from (etyl) Etymology in Webster's Dictionary

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
    • She let out a loud, doleful wail .
  • Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
    • The wail of snow-dark winter winds.
    A bird's wail in the night.
  • A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
  • To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
  • To make a noise like mourning or crying.
    • The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.
  • To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
    • to wail one's death
    (Shakespeare)
  • (slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.
  • *
  • *
  • *
    • Derived terms
    * wailer * wailingly
    References

    Etymology 2

    Compare Icelandic word for "choice".

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To choose; to select.
  • * Henryson
    • Wailed wine and meats
    (Webster 1913) English terms with homophones