Keening: meaning, definitions and examples

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keening

 

[ หˆkiหnษชล‹ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

funeral

Keening is a traditional form of vocal lament for the dead, often practiced in Ireland and Scotland. It involves a high-pitched wailing or crying, expressing intense grief and sorrow.

Synonyms

lament, mourn, wail

Examples of usage

  • The mourners could be heard keening at the funeral procession.
  • She began keening uncontrollably when she heard the news of her brother's passing.
Context #2 | Verb

expression of grief

To keen means to wail or lament loudly and emotionally, especially in mourning for the dead.

Synonyms

lament, mourn, wail

Examples of usage

  • She keened for hours after the tragic accident.
  • The women in the village would often gather to keen together during times of loss.

Translations

Translations of the word "keening" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lamento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเคฟเคฒเคพเคช

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Klagen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ratapan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณะพะปะพัั–ะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ lament

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ‚ฒๅ˜†

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lamentation

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lamentaciรณn

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aฤŸฤฑt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์• ๋„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุฏุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nรกล™ek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nรกrek

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ“€ๅท

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลพalovanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ harmljรณรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถั‹ะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒ˜แƒ แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aฤŸฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lamentaciรณn

Word origin

The term 'keening' has its origins in Irish and Scottish Gaelic traditions, where professional keeners would be hired to lament at funerals and express the grief of the community. The practice dates back centuries and was an important part of the mourning process in these cultures. Keening has been used as a way to honor the deceased and provide catharsis for those left behind.

See also: keen, keeness, keenly, keenness.