Keened: meaning, definitions and examples

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keened

 

[ kiหn ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emotional expression

To keen means to make a loud, wailing sound, often as an expression of grief or sorrow. This term is traditionally associated with mourning practices, where lamentations are performed to honor the deceased.

Synonyms

cry, lament, mourn, wail

Examples of usage

  • The widow keened at the funeral.
  • She keened softly, overwhelmed by her emotions.
  • In some cultures, people keen for their lost loved ones.
  • The sound of keening filled the air during the wake.

Translations

Translations of the word "keened" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lamentado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฐเฅ‹เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช klagen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ meratap

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะปะฐะบะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ lamentowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆณฃใ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท pleurer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ llorar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aฤŸlamak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์šธ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠูŽุจู’ูƒููŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ naล™รญkat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nariekaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ“ญๆณฃ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ jokati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ grรกta

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถั‹ะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒ˜แƒ แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aฤŸlamaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ llorar

Etymology

The word 'keen' comes from the Old Irish term 'cain', which means 'beautiful' or 'poignant'. Over time, its meaning evolved in the English language to encompass a sense of acute or intense feeling, particularly relating to grief. In Scottish English, 'keen' has been used since the 16th century to refer specifically to the act of lamentation, capturing the emotional depth of mourning rituals. Its usage reflects both the sound of sorrow and the cultural practices surrounding death, where such expressions were a significant part of community mourning. As such, keen carries not only a linguistic heritage but also a cultural significance that resonates with the universal experience of loss.