English

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Etymology

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From Middle English caterwrawen, from cater (cat) + wrawen, wrawlen (cry like a cat), equivalent to cat +‎ waul. Compare Low German katerwaulen (to cry like a cat) and Middle Dutch cater (tomcat) (Dutch kater).

Pronunciation

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Verb

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caterwaul (third-person singular simple present caterwauls, present participle caterwauling, simple past and past participle caterwauled)

  1. (intransitive) To cry as cats in heat; to make a harsh, offensive noise.
  2. (intransitive) To have a noisy argument, like cats.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:argument
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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun

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caterwaul (plural caterwauls)

  1. A yowling.
  2. A noisy quarrel.

Translations

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Further reading

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