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Hailing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hailing

[หˆheษชlษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

greeting or signaling

Hailing refers to the act of calling out to someone in order to attract their attention or to greet them. It can be used in various contexts, such as hailing a taxi or hailing a friend from a distance. The term can also denote the act of summoning someone or something. Hailing is often used in informal situations, emphasizing the action of actively trying to engage someone. Additionally, it can imply a sense of enthusiasm or urgency in the call.

Synonyms

calling, greeting, signaling, summoning.

Examples of usage

  • She was hailing a cab on the busy street.
  • He stood on the corner, hailing his friend.
  • They were hailing the passing train.
  • The crew was hailing the sailors aboard.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Language Use

  • In formal settings, you might use 'hail' to show respect, like in 'Hail to the chief!'
  • In many cultures, people may hail others as a sign of politeness or recognition.
  • The term is often used in songs and literature to convey admiration or homage.

Pop Culture

  • In the movie 'Hail, Caesar!', the word is used in a humorous context to refer to a film studio's grand gestures.
  • The phrase 'Hail Mary' is a famous prayer in Christianity, reflecting how people seek help or grace.
  • 'Hailing a cab' has become a common phrase as people wave to signal a taxi driver.

Cultural Significance

  • In some cultures, people hail each other with specific gestures or phrases that represent their traditions.
  • Hailing can take on additional meanings in various languages, reflecting social norms about greeting others.
  • The act of hailing can signify a desire to connect, indicating both respect and community.

Historical Context

  • Hailing someone was often a practical way to communicate in times when distances were greater and voice wouldnโ€™t carry.
  • In medieval England, hailing was a necessary skill among knights and nobles to show deference when approaching royalty.
  • In ancient societies, calling out to someone could also signal the start of trading or other community activities.

Origin of 'hailing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'halian,' meaning to call or to summon.
  • It has connections to the Old Norse word 'heila,' which also means to greet or to hail.
  • Originally, it referred especially to calling out to someone to get their attention.

The word 'hail' comes from the Old English 'hรฆgl', meaning 'hail, a form of precipitation', and it has roots in the Proto-Germanic 'hailaga' and Proto-Indo-European 'วตสฐei-', meaning 'to call'. It has evolved over time and in different contexts shifted meaning. Initially, it pertained to the weather phenomenon and later adapted to describe salutation and calling out. The verb form took shape around the 14th century, when it became commonplace to hail someone to get their attention. The distinct separation of meanings linked to both weather and greetings reflects the versatility of language and how words evolve based on usage.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,374, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.