bleat

[ bleet ]
/ blit /

verb (used without object)

to utter the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf or a sound resembling such a cry.

verb (used with object)

to give forth with or as if with a bleat: He bleated his objections in a helpless rage.
to babble; prate.

noun

the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf.
any similar sound: the bleat of distant horns.
foolish, complaining talk; babble: I listened to their inane bleat all evening.

Origin of bleat

before 1000; Middle English bleten, Old English blǣtan; cognate with Dutch blaten, Old High German blāzen; akin to Latin flēre to weep

OTHER WORDS FROM bleat

bleat·er, noun bleat·ing·ly, adverb out·bleat, verb (used with object)

Example sentences from the Web for bleating

British Dictionary definitions for bleating

bleat
/ (bliːt) /

verb

(intr) (of a sheep, goat, or calf) to utter its characteristic plaintive cry
(intr) to speak with any similar sound
to whine; whimper

noun

the characteristic cry of sheep, goats, and young calves
any sound similar to this
a weak complaint or whine

Derived forms of bleat

bleater, noun bleating, noun, adjective

Word Origin for bleat

Old English blǣtan; related to Old High German blāzen, Dutch blaten, Latin flēre to weep; see blare