caterwaul Hear it!

caterwaul Definition

cat·er·waul (kat′ər wôl′)

intransitive verb

to make a shrill, howling sound like that of a cat at rutting time; screech; wail

Etymology: ME caterwrawen, caterwawen < cater (prob. < MDu kater, tomcat) + v. wrawlen, wawlen; prob. echoic

noun

such a sound

caterwaul Synonyms

caterwaul

v.

screech, scream, bawl, wail; see cry 1, yell.

caterwaul Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • cat: A noisy jangle, a discordant din; like the caterwauling of cats at night.

Browse dictionary entries near caterwaul

  1. ‹ caterpillar
  2. ‹ caterer
  3. ‹ cateran
  4. ‹ cater to
  5. ‹ cater-cousin
  6. ‹ cater-cornered
  7. ‹ cater
  8. ‹ catenulate
  9. ‹ catenate
  10. ‹ catenary
  1. catfight ›
  2. catfish ›
  3. catgut ›
  4. cath ›
  5. cath- ›
  6. catharsis ›
  7. cathartic ›
  8. Cathay ›
  9. cathead ›
  10. cathect ›