Growlingly: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from 'growl,' which has roots in Middle English as 'grūlen,' indicating a deep, rumbling sound.
• Adding 'ly' to a word often turns it into an adverb, showing how something is done, like in 'slowly' or 'brightly'.
• Words like 'snarlingly' and 'barkingly' share a similar structure, emphasizing animal sounds.

Animal Behavior

• Growling is a common vocalization among carnivorous animals, often a warning signal to others.
• In domestic dogs, growling can express fear, playfulness, or the desire to protect, demonstrating their communication skills.
• Cats can also growl as a way to assert dominance, much like larger wild cats do.

Popular Culture

• In movies and literature, 'growling' sounds often create tension, indicating that trouble is near, such as in horror films.
• The term is sometimes used metaphorically in music to describe heavy, deep vocal styles, especially in genres like metal.
• Characters portrayed as tough or aggressive often have growling voices to emphasize their strength.

Sound Studies

• Certain sounds, like growls, can trigger primal instincts in humans, signaling danger or aggression.
• Sound frequencies in growls are often lower, affecting our emotional responses, making us feel uneasy or alert.
• Research shows that growls and similar sounds can communicate complex emotions beyond mere anger, such as fear or frustration.

Literature

• In poetry, the use of growling imagery can evoke feelings of unease or anticipation, enhancing the mood of the piece.
• Writers often use growlingly as an adverb to bring life to descriptions of characters, making them seem more vivid or menacing.
• Growling is depicted in folklore, where creatures are represented as growlers, contributing to their fearsome reputations.