"More caterwauling" is spelled with three syllables using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /mɔr kætərˈwɔlɪŋ/. The first syllable "more" is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɔr/, while the second syllable "ca" is pronounced with the short "a" sound /kæ/. The third syllable "terwauling" is pronounced with a stress on "waul" and the vowel sound /ɔlɪŋ/. "Caterwauling" means to make a loud, shrill crying or wailing noise, often associated with cats.
Caterwauling is a verb that means to make loud, shrill, and discordant sounds, usually used to describe the noises made by cats or certain other animals. Its origin can be traced back to the mid-17th century and is a combination of the Middle English words "cater," meaning to cry like a cat, and "waul," meaning to cry out loudly.
The phrase "more caterwauling" refers to an increased or intensified state of loud and discordant noise-making, typically used metaphorically to describe an uproar or tumultuous situation characterized by chaotic or irritating sounds. The term conveys a sense of disturbance, commotion, or even annoyance caused by the ongoing noise.
In a figurative context, "more caterwauling" may also be used to describe a situation where individuals engage in loud and aggressive arguing, complaining, or expressing displeasure with one another. It suggests a heightened level of cacophony and emotional intensity, emphasizing the sense of a chaotic and unruly environment.
The phrase "more caterwauling" can also be extended beyond its literal context to describe any situation or activity that is excessively noisy, disorganized, or chaotic. It implies a lack of harmony or order, with an emphasis on the unpleasantness and disruptiveness of the sounds being produced.
Overall, "more caterwauling" is a term used to describe a heightened state of loud, discordant, and chaotic noise, often used metaphorically to illustrate a turbulent or unruly situation characterized by clamor and disturbance.
The etymology of the word "caterwauling" can be traced back to Middle English, where it was initially formed as "caterwaw(l)en". It is believed to have originated from the combination of two different sources:
1. "Cater" evolved from the Old French word "acatour" (or "chatour"), which meant "tomcat" or a "cat that howls".
2. "Waul", on the other hand, is a variation of the Old English word "wragan" or "wrawan", which denotes "to cry out" or "to wail".
The merging of these two elements gave rise to the term "caterwauling", describing the loud, discordant and often piercing sound made by cats when they howl or fight.