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# wail

verb (wail, wails, wailed, wailing); noun (a wail, wails)

«wail» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To wail is to cry out with a long, loud, high sound because of pain, sadness or anger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#m1)
2. A wail is such a long cry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#m2)
3. Things like sirens or the wind can also wail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories it shows deep sadness or a baby's crying, or creates spooky sounds (the wind wailing). Phrases: let out a wail, wail with grief, the wail of a siren.

### Examples

- The baby began to wail when her toy fell. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x1)
- The siren wailed as the ambulance raced past. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x2)
- The wind wailed around the old house. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x3)
- "It's not fair!" he wailed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x4)
- A long wail came from the forest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x5)
- The mourners wailed at the funeral. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x6)
- It wailed through the ship, and died away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: wailed, wailing. Homophone: whale (the sea animal). Similar: howl, moan, sob.

## In Jewish tradition

In Genesis, a loud, sorrowing cry of mourning.

**Interpretation.** The loud mourning for Jacob shows how seriously the dead are honored. Tradition draws on this for mourning customs such as the seven days of shiva.

### Examples

- And they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they wailed with a very great and sore wailing; and he made a mourning for his father seven days. (Torah GEN.50.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wail/#x1)
- 'Son of man, prophesy, and say: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Wail ye: Woe worth the day! (Prophets EZK.30.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wail/#x2)
- Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall wail; for the sweet cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, sorely stricken. (Prophets ISA.16.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wail/#x3)
- Moab is put to shame, for it is dismayed; wail and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled. (Prophets JER.48.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wail/#x4)

### Note

Regular verb: wailed, wailing. Homophone: whale (the sea animal). Similar: howl, moan, sob.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «wail» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wail/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«wail» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/wail.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «wail» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wail/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«wail» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/wail.html) on Mova free.