Bleated: meaning, definitions and examples
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bleated
[bliːtɪd ]
Definition
animal sound
To bleat is the sound made by certain animals, especially sheep and goats. This vocalization is typically a high-pitched sound that is associated with their communication and emotional state. The sound can be used to call for their young, to express hunger, or as a signal of distress. Bleating is a natural behavior observed in livestock and is often used in farming contexts.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The sheep bleated loudly when they saw the feed.
- He heard the goats bleating in the distance.
- The lambs began to bleat for their mothers.
- As the storm approached, the sheep bleated nervously.
Interesting Facts
Animal Communication
- Bleating is a way sheep communicate with each other, often indicating hunger, distress, or excitement.
- Each sheep has a distinct bleat, similar to how humans have unique voices.
- Mother sheep often bleat to call their lambs, and lambs bleat in response to their mothers for comfort.
Etymology
- The word 'bleat' comes from the Old English 'blǣtan,' which literally means 'to make a noise like a sheep.'
- Related words in different languages show how sound imitation influences language; for example, the Spanish word for sheep sound is 'balido.'
- The verb form 'bleated' has been used since at least the 14th century in English literature.
Culture
- In poetry and literature, bleating often symbolizes innocence or vulnerability, often depicting a sheep as a gentle, submissive character.
- Bleating sounds are commonly used in films and cartoons to emphasize a character’s naïveté or silliness.
- In some cultures, sheep are seen as symbols of peace, and their bleating can evoke feelings of calmness.
Nature
- Bleating usually occurs during spring and summer when sheep give birth, as mothers call for their young.
- The volume and frequency of a sheep's bleat can vary based on their mood, such as panic versus contentment.
- Research indicates that strategies in bleating help establish social hierarchies among sheep within a flock.
Literature
- Famous works like 'Animal Farm' use sheep and their bleating to highlight themes of conformity and collective behavior.
- Bleating is often referenced in children’s books to illustrate the playful nature of farm animals.
- In fables, bleating may serve as a signal of the character's role - often the innocent or the naive.
Translations
Translations of the word "bleated" in other languages:
🇵🇹 balido
🇮🇳 बकरी का आवाज़
🇩🇪 blöken
🇮🇩 mengembek
🇺🇦 блеяти
🇵🇱 bleczeć
🇯🇵 メェーと鳴く
🇫🇷 bêler
🇪🇸 balir
🇹🇷 mavra
🇰🇷 매에에
🇸🇦 نَعْقٌ
🇨🇿 bečet
🇸🇰 bľačať
🇨🇳 咩咩叫
🇸🇮 blejati
🇮🇸 blása
🇰🇿 қозы дауысы
🇬🇪 ბლეტა
🇦🇿 qırq qırq
🇲🇽 balido