Wept vs Wail - What's the difference?
wept | wail |
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
As verbs the difference between wept and wail
is that wept is (weep) while wail is to cry out, as in sorrow or anguish or wail can be (obsolete) to choose; to select.As a noun wail is
a prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.wept
English
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