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Bleating: meaning, definitions and examples

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bleating

 

[ ˈbliːtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

animal sound

Bleating is the characteristic sound made by sheep and goats. It is often described as a repeated, high-pitched sound. This vocalization can be a form of communication among these animals, especially when they are calling for their young or alerting others to potential danger. Bleating can vary in pitch and intensity, reflecting the animal's emotional state. In a broader sense, the term can also refer to similar sounds made by other animals or even a metaphorical way to describe someone who is whining or complaining.

Synonyms

baaing, crying, whining

Examples of usage

  • The lamb was bleating for its mother.
  • During the spring, the fields were filled with bleating sheep.
  • I could hear the goats bleating in the distance.
  • The farmer recognized the bleating as a sign of distress.

Translations

Translations of the word "bleating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 balido

🇮🇳 बकर-बकरी की आवाज़

🇩🇪 blöken

🇮🇩 mengembik

🇺🇦 блеяння

🇵🇱 bekanie

🇯🇵 羊の鳴き声 (ひつじのなきごえ)

🇫🇷 bêlement

🇪🇸 balido

🇹🇷 koyun sesi

🇰🇷 양의 울음소리 (yang-ui ul-eumsori)

🇸🇦 صوت الخروف

🇨🇿 bečení

🇸🇰 búchanie

🇨🇳 羊叫声 (yáng jiào shēng)

🇸🇮 blejanje

🇮🇸 kveðja

🇰🇿 Қойдың дауысы

🇬🇪 ძროხის ხმება

🇦🇿 qoyunun səsi

🇲🇽 balido

Etymology

The term 'bleat' originated from the Old English word 'blēatlian', which is an imitation of the sound made by sheep. This root is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as the Old High German 'blāzen' and Middle Dutch 'blaten', which also refer to the sounds made by these animals. Over time, the word has evolved in English, with 'bleating' becoming the present participle form used to describe the ongoing action of making this sound. The association with sheep and goats has persisted throughout the centuries, and 'bleating' continues to evoke pastoral images, particularly in agricultural settings. The use of the word has also expanded metaphorically to describe whining or complaining in human contexts, reflecting a sense of annoyance or grievances similar to the sound of distressed animals.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,079, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.