| 释义 |
cat·er·waul
I. \ˈkad.ə(r)ˌwȯl, -atə-\ intransitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: alteration (influenced by wawl) of earlier caterwawe, from Middle English caterwawen, caterwrawen, perhaps from (assumed) Middle Dutch katerwrauwen, from Middle Dutch cāter tomcat (akin to Old English catt cat) + wrauwen to wail, of imitative origin — more at cat
1.
a. of a cat : to make a harsh cry at rutting time — compare calling 5
b. : to cry as cats do in rutting time : make a harsh offensive noise
< the continuous caterwauling of the … street bands — H.A.Sinclair >
c. : to quarrel noisily like cats
< government can … degenerate into a caterwauling of hatred and venom — New Republic >
2. : to be lecherous : go in lecherous pursuit of women
II. noun
(-s)
1. : the cry of cats at rutting time : caterwauling
< the caterwaul of an alley-cat — Marcia Davenport >
2. : a sound resembling a caterwaul
< the Great Eastern sailed in a mass caterwaul from the banks — James Dugan > |