whine Hear it!

whine definition

whine (hwīn, wīn)

intransitive verb whined, whining whin′·ing

    1. to utter a peevish, high-pitched, somewhat nasal sound, as in complaint, distress, or fear
    2. to make a prolonged, high-pitched sound like this
  2. to complain or beg in a childishly undignified way, as with a whine

Etymology: ME whinen < OE hwinan, akin to ON hvina < IE base *wei-, to whiz, hiss > whistle, whisper

transitive verb

to utter with or as with a whine

noun

  1. the act or sound of whining
  2. a complaint uttered in a whining tone

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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