Caterwaulings is a seven-syllable word that means loud and unpleasant sound of a group of animals, especially cats. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /ˈkætərˌwɔlɪŋz/ which represents the sounds of each individual letter. The first syllable "kat" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by the "er" sound in the second syllable. The third and fourth syllables "waul" and "ings" are pronounced with a "wawl" sound and "ings" respectively. Overall, the spelling of caterwaulings reflects its loud and chaotic sound.
Caterwaulings is a noun that refers to loud, harsh, and discordant sounds, especially those made by animals or human beings in a manner that is considered unpleasant or annoying. This term is commonly used to describe the screeching or wailing noises made by cats or other animals, such as the eerie sounds produced by a group of coyotes during the night. However, caterwaulings can also describe the shrill and piercing cries or screams made by human beings, often denoting distress, anguish, or chaos.
The word "caterwaulings" is derived from the Middle English word "caterwaulen," which ultimately originated from the combination of the Old French word "cat" meaning "cat" and the Middle English word "waulen" meaning "to wail or cry loudly." The term suggests a cacophony of dissonant and strident noises, creating a sense of chaos or discordance.
Caterwaulings can evoke a range of emotions in different contexts. While the caterwaulings of animals can evoke a sense of wildness or mystery, human caterwaulings may denote distress, panic, or a lack of control. The term can also be used figuratively to describe the discordant or unpleasant sounds in non-auditory contexts, such as the jarring or incongruous combination of elements in music, literature, or art. Overall, caterwaulings are characterized by their harsh, loud, and often grating qualities, creating an auditory experience that is generally deemed unpleasant.
The word "caterwaulings" originated from the combination of two separate words: "caterwaul" and "ings".
The term "caterwaul" can be traced back to Middle English, where it was spelled as "caterwaule" or "caterwrawlen". This word was derived from the Old French term "cater", meaning "to cry like a cat", and the Middle English word "waul", which means "to scream" or "to howl". The word "caterwaul" initially referred to the unpleasant noise made by cats during the breeding season, which was considered a complex and mournful sound.
The addition of "ings" to "caterwaul" resulted in "caterwaulings", turning it into a noun form.