Cawed Meaning: Definition and Examples

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cawed

[kɔːd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

sound made

Cawed is the past tense of the verb 'caw', which refers to the harsh cry of a crow or similar bird. It is typically used to describe the noise made when these birds communicate or alert others to danger.

Synonyms

croaked, screamed, squawked.

Examples of usage

  • The crow cawed loudly at dawn.
  • As they approached the graveyard, a couple of ravens cawed overhead.
  • She heard a distant cawing as she walked through the park.
  • The sudden cawing of the crows startled the hikers.

Interesting Facts

Bird Behavior

  • Crows are known for their intelligence, and their cawing can signal warnings or alerts to other birds.
  • They use cawing for social interaction, establishing territory, or even during courtship.
  • Just like humans use different tones and pitches in speaking, crows vary their caws to convey different messages.

Culture

  • Crows are often featured in folklore and mythology, where their calls are seen as omens or symbols of mystery.
  • In literature, cawing crows can set a spooky atmosphere, often used to signify an impending event or intrigue.
  • Some cultures view crows as messengers of change, and caws are thought to predict transformations in life.

Science

  • Research shows that crows possess the ability to learn from their environment, which influences their vocalizations.
  • Cawing can significantly vary among different species of crows and can affect their social structures.
  • Studies have demonstrated that crows can mimic sounds from their surroundings, enhancing their communication methods.

Folklore

  • In many cultures, crows are associated with death and mystery, often depicted as birds of ill omen.
  • Folktales sometimes portray crows as wise creatures, and their calls are integral to these stories.
  • Certain traditions hold that the sound of a crow cawing can foretell events or changes in one's life.

Origin of 'cawed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'cawed' comes from the Old English 'cā', which meant the cry of a crow.
  • Related words include 'caw', which is the present tense, and reflects how these birds communicate.
  • It is a verb form, indicating that the action has already happened, like if a crow called out earlier.

The word 'caw' originates from the Middle English 'cawen', which comes from the early 14th century. Its roots can be traced back to the Old French 'cawer', which means to croak. This term has also been influenced by the similar sounds made by other birds, and it has maintained its association with the harsh vocalizations of crows and similar species. The term is onomatopoeic, meaning it imitates the sound associated with the act of cawing. The evolution of 'cawed' reflects the linguistic tendencies of English to adapt and incorporate sounds from the natural world into language, illustrating a deep connection between human expression and animal communication.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,324, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.