Bleat: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
bleat
[ bliหt ]
animal sound
To bleat is to make the characteristic sound of a sheep or goat, typically a series of short, high-pitched calls. This vocalization is often used by the animals to express a variety of emotions, including hunger, distress, or the desire for attention. The sound can carry over long distances, allowing them to communicate with one another in the open pastures. Additionally, 'bleat' can also be used metaphorically to describe a person complaining or whining in a similar high-pitched manner.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The sheep began to bleat as they were herded towards the barn.
- She could hear the goats bleating in the distance.
- His constant bleating about the unfair rules frustrated everyone.
Translations
Translations of the word "bleat" in other languages:
๐ต๐น balido
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคฐเฅเคฐ เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช blรถken
๐ฎ๐ฉ bleat
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะปะตััะธ
๐ต๐ฑ bekanie
๐ฏ๐ต ใกใงใผใจใใๅฃฐ
๐ซ๐ท bรชler
๐ช๐ธ balar
๐น๐ท meme
๐ฐ๐ท ์๋งค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุตูุช ุงูุฎุฑุงู
๐จ๐ฟ beฤet
๐ธ๐ฐ beฤaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๅฉๅฉๅฃฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ blejati
๐ฎ๐ธ blekki
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐาััั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแขแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ meme
๐ฒ๐ฝ balar
Word origin
The word 'bleat' originates from Middle English 'bleten' and Old English 'blฤatan', which itself is derived from a Proto-Germanic root '*blฤtanฤ ', meaning 'to bleat'. This etymology connects it to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as 'blรถken' in German and 'blatte' in Scandinavian languages, all of which describe the sound made by sheep. The early use of 'bleat' was primarily focused on the vocal sounds of sheep and goats, reflecting humans' agricultural relationships with these animals. Over time, the definition expanded to include similar whining or complaining sounds made by humans, illustrating a linguistic evolution from a specific animal sound to a broader metaphorical application in speech. The consistent association with complaint reflects cultural perceptions of both the animals and human behaviors. As agriculture developed, the term 'bleat' became more ingrained in the language, symbolizing not only the sound but also the characteristics of sheep as domesticated animals.