Mewling: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฟ
mewling
[หmjuหlษชล ]
Definition
sound production
Mewling refers to the soft, high-pitched crying or whimpering, typically associated with young mammals such as kittens. This term is often used to describe the noise made by these young animals when they are hungry or need attention. It can also convey a sense of weakness or vulnerability, often in a figurative sense when referring to people. Mewling can evoke feelings of sympathy in listeners, as it suggests a need for care or assistance.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The kittens were mewling for their mother.
- She could hear the mewling of the baby in the other room.
- The stray cat mewled pitifully outside the door.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term originates from the Middle English word 'mewle,' meaning to cry like a kitten or to show distress.
- Related to the Old English word 'mฤow,' which is a variant of 'meow,' imitating the sound of a cat.
- 'Mew' can also refer to a cage or enclosure for a hawk, highlighting the concept of being trapped or in distress.
Literature
- Charles Dickens famously used the term to describe the weak and helpless characters, evoking sympathy.
- In Shakespeare's works, 'mewling' is often associated with children or figures in a position of vulnerability.
- It's commonly used in poetry to convey a sense of sadness or despair, adding an emotional layer to the writing.
Pop Culture
- The sound of mewling is often used in films to depict a young animal or a distressed baby, immediately triggering empathy.
- Cartoon characters, especially in animated films, often mewl to express their innocence or need for help.
- In popular music, imagery of mewling is occasionally used to evoke feelings of longing and sadness.
Psychology
- The sound signifies vulnerability and can trigger protective instincts in adults, often associating it with caring for infants or young animals.
- Hearing soft, mewling sounds can evoke emotional responses in individuals, highlighting basic instincts related to nurturing.
- Research suggests that certain vocalizations, like mewling, are designed to elicit empathy and sympathy in listeners.
Animal Behavior
- Kittens mewl to communicate their needs to their mothers, such as hunger or discomfort.
- Mewling can also signify submission or fear in young animals, prompting them to seek comfort or safety.
- It plays a crucial role in animal socialization, helping young animals learn to express their needs and emotions.
Translations
Translations of the word "mewling" in other languages:
๐ต๐น miado
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคเฅเคเฅเค เคเฅ เคฐเฅเคจเฅ เคเฅ เคเคตเคพเคเคผ
๐ฉ๐ช miauen
๐ฎ๐ฉ mengiau
๐บ๐ฆ ะผััะบะฐะฝะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ miau
๐ฏ๐ต ใใฃใผ้ณดใ
๐ซ๐ท miauler
๐ช๐ธ maullido
๐น๐ท miyavlama
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฐธ๋ฅด๋ฆ
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ูุงุก
๐จ๐ฟ mลoukรกnรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ mลaukanie
๐จ๐ณ ๅๅ
๐ธ๐ฎ mijavkanje
๐ฎ๐ธ mjaรฐra
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะผัััาััาฃ ะดะฐัััั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ miyavlama
๐ฒ๐ฝ maullido