Bawled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• Crying, including bawling, can serve as a natural way to release built-up stress and emotions.
• Studies show that emotional tears contain stress hormones, which means bawling might help the body restore balance.
• Expressing emotions through crying has been linked to increased feelings of empathy and connection to others.

Pop Culture

• In movies and television, characters often bawl during pivotal scenes, amplifying the emotional impact on the audience.
• Popular songs often feature themes of heartbreak, urging listeners to embrace their feelings, which can lead to bawling.
• Bawling contests exist in some cultures, celebrating the act of crying as a way to express deep feeling.

Literature

• Classic literature uses bawling to symbolize profound loss or despair, revealing character depth.
• In children's books, characters often bawl to reflect simple, relatable emotions that kids can understand.
• Poets frequently employ the imagery of bawling to capture the intensity of sorrow or nostalgia.

Social Context

• Different cultures have varying norms about public crying; in some, bawling is seen as a genuine expression of grief.
• Social stigma can sometimes accompany crying, leading individuals to suppress their emotions, unlike the more open expression seen in some cultures.
• Bawling in public places, such as funerals, often allows community members to connect through shared sorrow.

Main points about word origin

• The word has roots in the Old English 'bealu,' which means 'harm' or 'evil,' suggesting that strong emotions are often tied to pain.
• It evolved through Middle English as 'bawlen,' reflecting a more direct connection to loud crying.
• Bawling has been used in literature for centuries to depict intense emotional moments.

The word 'bawl' originates from the Middle English 'bawlen,' which derives from the Old English 'beahlian,' meaning to shout or to cry. The evolution of the term is linked to the Old Norse 'bollr,' meaning 'to roar' or 'to bellow.' It has been used in the English language since at least the 14th century to describe loud and often uncontrollable crying or crying out. The associated emotional intensity and vocalization reflected the speakers' needs to convey deep feeling, whether in joy or sorrow. Over time, 'bawled' has become a common way to describe the act of crying loudly, especially in contexts where silence is replaced by an outburst of emotion. In literature and everyday conversation, the term evokes vivid imagery of emotional overload, making it a popular choice for authors and speakers alike.

At rank #28,624, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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