Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Yowled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

😿
Add to dictionary

yowled

[jaÊŠld ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Yowled is the past tense of 'yowl', which refers to the loud, mournful cry typically made by cats or dogs. It indicates a state of distress, discomfort, or a potent expression of emotion. This term is often associated with vocalizations during nighttime or in response to a perceived threat.

Synonyms

howled, screamed, wailed.

Examples of usage

  • The cat yowled through the night.
  • He yowled in pain after stubbing his toe.
  • The dogs yowled at the sound of the siren.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Cats often yowl to express distress, loneliness, or to seek attention from their owners.
  • Yowling can serve as a way for animals to communicate their needs and feelings, similar to how humans might shout out.
  • In the wild, many animals yowl to mark territory or call for mates during mating season.

Pop Culture

  • In literature and movies, characters often use the sound of a yowl to signify danger or an approaching threat.
  • Yowling sounds are frequently used in horror films to create suspense or convey a supernatural presence.
  • Famous songs and performances have featured yowling as a form of artistic expression, emphasizing raw emotion.

Literature

  • Authors like Edgar Allan Poe have used yowling in their works to evoke feelings of dread or melancholy.
  • Yowling can symbolize despair or a call for help, adding depth to characters in various narratives.
  • In poetry, yowling may serve as a metaphor for anguish or an emotional outburst, linking human feelings to animal expressions.

Psychology

  • Studies of animal behavior suggest that yowling may reflect emotional states, drawing parallels to how humans vocalize feelings.
  • Listening to yowling can trigger empathetic responses in humans, helping to understand animals' emotional needs.
  • The intensity and pitch of a yowl can convey different meanings, similar to how tone affects spoken human communication.

Origin of 'yowled'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Middle English 'yowlen,' which means to howl or cry out.
  • Its roots can be traced back to the Old English word 'geol,' referring to a wild cry or howl.
  • Related terms include 'yowl' and 'howl,' both of which describe similar loud cries, emphasizing the emotional expression.

The word 'yowl' dates back to Middle English, with roots in Old Norse 'jǫla', which means to 'howl' or 'yell'. The term has evolved through usage in various dialects, particularly in areas with strong connections to feline and canine populations. As a vocalization associated with distress or communication, 'yowl' captures a primal response to emotion, famously used in literature to express sorrow or fear. Its onomatopoeic nature draws from the actual sound produced, making it a vivid descriptor in both spoken and written language. The transition from 'yowl' to 'yowled' represents a natural linguistic development, reflecting the verb's action in the past tense.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,555, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.