Murmur vs Wail - What's the difference?
murmur | wail | Related terms |
(countable) Low or indistinct sounds or speech.
* 1874 , (Marcus Clarke), (For the Term of His Natural Life) , chapter V:
* 1960 , , (Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter XI:
(medicine) The sound made by any condition which produces noisy, or turbulent, flow of blood through the heart.
A muttered complaint or protest; the expression of dissatisfaction in a low muttering voice; any expression of complaint or discontent
* 1919 , :
* 1960 , , (Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter XX:
* 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , (w) VI:
(label) To speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter.
*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
, chapter=7, title= (label) To say (something) indistinctly, to mutter.
* (William Shakespeare), 1 , II. 3.51
A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.
To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
To make a noise like mourning or crying.
To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
(slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.
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(obsolete) To choose; to select.
* Henryson
In intransitive terms the difference between murmur and wail
is that murmur is to speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter while wail is to make a noise like mourning or crying.In transitive terms the difference between murmur and wail
is that murmur is to say (something) indistinctly, to mutter while wail is to lament; to bewail; to grieve over.As nouns the difference between murmur and wail
is that murmur is low or indistinct sounds or speech while wail is a prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.As verbs the difference between murmur and wail
is that murmur is to grumble; to complain in a low, muttering voice, or express discontent {{term|at}} or {{term|against}} someone or something while wail is to cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.murmur
English
Noun
(en noun)- In the prison of the 'tween decks reigned a darkness pregnant with murmurs . The sentry at the entrance to the hatchway was supposed to "prevent the prisoners from making a noise," but he put a very liberal interpretation upon the clause, and so long as the prisoners refrained from shouting, yelling, and fighting--eccentricities in which they sometimes indulged--he did not disturb them.
- A murmur arose from the audience.
- The moment had come for the honeyed word. I lowered my voice to a confidential murmur , but on her inquiring if I had laryngitis raised it again.
- In fear of disease and in the interest of his health man will be muzzled and masked like a vicious dog, and that without any murmur of complaint.
- Glossop will return from his afternoon off to find the awful majesty of the Law waiting for him, complete with handcuffs. We can hardly expect him to accept an exemplary sentence without a murmur , so his first move will be to establish his innocence by revealing all.
Verb
(en verb)- The iewes murmured att itt, because he sayde: I am thatt breed which is come doune from heven.
A Cuckoo in the Nest, passage=“Oh yes,” he murmured in a tone of obligatory surprise, as he proceeded to make the kind of 2 which he attributed to Margaret's style of chirography.}}
- Iheard thee murmur tales of iron wars.
Derived terms
* murmuration * murmurer * murmuring * murmurless * murmurousSynonyms
* See asloExternal links
* (heart murmur)wail
English
Etymology 1
Probably from (etyl)Etymology inWebster's Dictionary
Noun
(en noun)- She let out a loud, doleful wail .
- The wail of snow-dark winter winds.
- A bird's wail in the night.
Verb
(en verb)- The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.
- to wail one's death
- (Shakespeare)
Derived terms
* wailer * wailinglyReferences
Etymology 2
Compare Icelandic word for "choice".Verb
(en verb)- Wailed wine and meats