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cry

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Cry is defined as to shed tears or call out.

(verb)

An example of to cry is to release tears after hearing sad news.

The definition of a cry is a shedding of tears or a calling out.

(noun)

An example of a cry is a scream for help.

See cry in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb cried, crying

to make a loud vocal sound or utterance; call out, as for help; shout
to sob and shed tears, in expressing sorrow, pain, grief, etc.; weep
1. to plead or clamor (for)
2. to show or suggest a great need (for): problems crying for solution
to utter its characteristic call: said of an animal

Origin: ME crien < OFr crier < L quiritare, to wail, shriek (var. of quirritare, to squeal like a pig < *quis, echoic of a squeal); assoc. in ancient folk etym. with L Quirites, Roman citizens (as if meaning “to call the Quirites,” implore their help)

transitive verb

to plead or beg for: to cry quarter
to utter loudly; shout; exclaim
to call out (wares for sale, services offered, etc.); announce publicly
to bring into a specified condition by crying: to cry oneself asleep

noun pl. cries

a loud vocal sound expressing pain, anger, fright, joy, etc.
any loud utterance; shout
an announcement or advertisement called out publicly
an urgent appeal; plea
popular report; rumor; rallying call or battle cry; watchword
the current opinion or fashion
clamor of the people; public outcry
a slogan
a sobbing and shedding of tears; fit of weeping
the characteristic vocal sound of an animal
1. the baying of hounds in the chase
2. a pack of hounds

Origin: ME & OFr cri < the v.

See cry in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cry

verb cried cried (krīd), crying cry·ing, cries cries (krīz)

verb, intransitive

To sob or shed tears because of grief, sorrow, or pain; weep.
To call loudly; shout.
To utter a characteristic sound or call. Used of an animal.
To demand or require immediate action or remedy: grievances crying out for redress.

verb, transitive

To utter loudly; call out.
To proclaim or announce in public: crying one's wares in the marketplace.
To bring into a particular condition by weeping: cry oneself to sleep.
Archaic To beg for; implore: cry forgiveness.

noun pl. cries cries (krīz)

A loud utterance of an emotion, such as fear, anger, or despair.
A loud exclamation; a shout or call.
A fit of weeping: had a good long cry.
An urgent entreaty or appeal.
A public or general demand or complaint.
A common view or general report.
An advertising of wares by calling out: venders' cries at the fish market.
A rallying call or signal: a cry to arms.
A slogan, especially a political one.
The characteristic call or utterance of an animal.
a. The baying of hounds during the chase.
b. A pack of hounds.
Obsolete Clamor; outcry.
Obsolete A public announcement; a proclamation.

Phrasal Verbs: cry down To belittle or disparage. cry off To break or withdraw from a promise, agreement, or undertaking. cry up To praise highly; extol.

Origin: Middle English crien, from Old French crier, from Vulgar Latin *critāre, from Latin quirītāre, to cry out, perhaps from Quirītēs, public officers to whom one would cry out in times of need.

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