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7 dictionary results for: bawl

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

bawl

[bawl] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used without object)

1.	to cry or wail lustily.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to utter or proclaim by outcry; shout out: to bawl one's dissatisfaction; bawling his senseless ditties to the audience.

3.	to offer for sale by shouting, as a hawker: a peddler bawling his wares.

–noun

4.	a loud shout; outcry.

5.	a period or spell of loud crying or weeping.

6.	Chiefly Midland and Western U.S. the noise made by a calf.

—Verb phrase

7.	bawl out, Informal. to scold vociferously; reprimand or scold vigorously: Your father will bawl you out when he sees this mess.

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < ML baulāre to bark < Gmc; cf. ON baula to low, baula cow, perh. a conflation of belja (see bell²) with an old root *bhu-

]

—Related forms

bawler, noun

—Synonyms 1. howl, yowl, squall, roar, bellow.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

bawl   (bôl) Pronunciation Key
v.   bawled, bawl·ing, bawls

v.   intr.

To cry or sob loudly; wail.
To cry out loudly and vehemently; shout.

v. tr.
To utter in a loud, vehement voice. See Synonyms at shout.

n. A loud, bellowing cry; a wail.

Phrasal Verb(s):
bawl out Informal
To reprimand loudly or harshly.

[Middle English bawlen, to bark, from Medieval Latin baulāre, to bark (probably of Scandinavian origin) or from Old Norse baula, to low (of imitative origin).]

bawl'er n.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
bawl

c.1440, from O.N. baula "to low like a cow," and/or M.L. baulare "to bark like a dog," both echoic. To bawl (someone) out "reprimand loudly" is 1908, Amer.Eng.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

bawl
verb
1.	shout loudly and without restraint
2.	make a raucous noise [syn: yawp]
3.	cry loudly; "Don't bawl in public!"

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bawl

Bawl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bawled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bawling.] [Icel. baula to low, bellow, as a cow; akin to Sw. b["o]la; cf. AS bellan, G. bellen to bark, E. bellow, bull.]

1. To cry out with a loud, full sound; to cry with vehemence, as in calling or exultation; to shout; to vociferate.

2. To cry loudly, as a child from pain or vexation.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bawl

Bawl\, v. t. To proclaim with a loud voice, or by outcry, as a hawker or town-crier does. --Swift.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bawl

Bawl\, n. A loud, prolonged cry; an outcry.

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