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Tumult vs Wail - What's the difference?

tumult | wail | Related terms |

Tumult is a related term of wail.


As nouns the difference between tumult and wail

is that tumult is tumult, ruckus, row while wail is a prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.

As a verb wail is

to cry out, as in sorrow or anguish or wail can be (obsolete) to choose; to select.

tumult

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Confused, agitated noise as made by a crowd.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Till in loud tumult all the Greeks arose.
  • Violent commotion or agitation, often with confusion of sounds.
  • the tumult of the elements
    the tumult of the spirits or passions
  • A riot or uprising.
  • Synonyms

    * uproar * ruckus

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To make a tumult; to be in great commotion.
  • Importuning and tumulting even to the fear of a revolt. — Milton.
    ----

    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