bleat Definition
bleat (blēt)
intransitive verb
- to make its characteristic cry: said of a sheep, goat, or calf
- to make a sound like this cry
- to speak foolishly, whiningly, or querulously
Etymology: ME bleten < OE blætan: see blear
transitive verb
to say or express in a bleating voice
noun
- the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf
- any sound or utterance like this
bleat Related Forms
bleat Usage Examples
Preposition: about
need: Last week at the Labor party conference there was a lot of bleating about the needs of " hard-working families " .
Object
- sheep: I must admit on my travels there are few places like it for lush green fields, bleating sheep and incessant rain.
- noise: Bleating noises from bureaucrats in Brussels who see their expense accounts under threat only tend to frighten children of a very timorous disposition.
- goat: There was even a makeshift pen crowded with bleating goats.
Converse of object
hear: The wolves had spent most of the night in their hiding place, whining eagerly whenever they'd heard a goat bleat.
Adjective modifier
- timid: The Department of Health's response is a timid bleat, proving once again the great influence of the Pharmas over Government.
- calm: In the hurly-burly of debate about iconic space and squiggly landmarks, his voice is a calm bleat of common sense.
Modifying Another Word
- loudly: As Father Hugh spoke all the sheep outside the chapel started bleating very loudly.
- then: She then bleated about " you have to give 2 weeks notice before you run a tram " - Rubbish!
- much: You can bleat as much as you like, but you will not be heard.
- n't: Last night I was n't bleating from that kind of pain.
- endlessly: Instead, they bleat endlessly about the hypothetical risks of recombinant DNA technology -- which never materialize.
- now: Posted by: Andrew | June 20, 2005 03:43 PM Does that mean you'll all stop bleating now?
Followed by an intransitive particle
out: Prescott bleats out ' trust Tony ' , that's what leadership is all about.
Preposition: of
- sheep: Every sound seemed magnified and the bleating of the sheep and goats nearly drowned out the sound of hooves coming up behind me.
- lamb: The barking of dogs, the bleat of a lamb The rush of the wind, a door on the slam.
- goat: She asked, " How can our married life be happy, when the dying bleat of this goat is the prolog?
- sense: In the hurly-burly of debate about iconic space and squiggly landmarks, his voice is a calm bleat of common sense.
Noun used with modifier
sheep: You've ever heard a sheep bleat and had romantic thoughts.
Preposition: like
sheep: They let you moo like cattle, bleat like sheep.
Browse dictionary entries near bleat
- ‹ bleary-eyed
- ‹ bleary
- ‹ blear
- ‹ bleak
- ‹ bleaching powder
- ‹ bleachers
- ‹ bleacherite
- ‹ bleach
- ‹ -ble
- ‹ bldr
- bleb ›
- bleed ›
- bleeder ›
- bleeding heart ›
- bleep ›
- blemish ›
- blench ›
- blend ›
- blende ›
- blended family ›

