WHIMPER Meaning and
Definition
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Whimper is defined as a soft, low, and plaintive sound or cry made by a person or an animal, typically expressing pain, fear, or distress. It is characterized by a weak, wavering, and sob-like tone, lacking the intensity and forcefulness of a full cry or wail. The term can also refer to a feeble, unassertive, or ineffectual voice or utterance. It often conveys a sense of weakness, vulnerability, or helplessness.
The word "whimper" originates from the Middle English word "wymperen," which means to whine or lament. It is closely related to the Old Norse "hvima," meaning to make a noise and the Old High German "wimaron," meaning to moan.
Whimpering can be audible or inaudible, depending on the situation and the person or animal involved. It is most commonly associated with young children or small animals, such as puppies or kittens, expressing their discomfort, fear, or desperation for attention or assistance. However, whimpering can also be employed by adults in expressions of emotional distress or as a form of manipulation to elicit sympathy or aid. Overall, the term "whimper" illustrates a subtle, plaintive sound that reflects various forms of distress, vulnerability, or feebleness in different contexts.
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• To cry with a low broken voice, as a child; to express grief in a whining tone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for WHIMPER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for WHIMPER
Etymology of WHIMPER
The word "whimper" is derived from Middle English "whimmeren" or "whymperen", which originated from Old English "wimpre", meaning "to whine" or "to bewail". The Old English term likely has West Germanic origins, related to Old High German "wimaron" (to murmur) and Middle Dutch "wimperen" (to whine).
Idioms with the word WHIMPER
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with a bang but with a whimper
The idiom "with a bang but with a whimper" is derived from a line in T.S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men." It refers to a dramatic or grand finale followed by a quiet or underwhelming conclusion. It suggests that an event or situation initially starts with excitement, intensity, or promise, but ultimately ends in disappointment, anticlimax, or insignificance.
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not with a bang but with a whimper
The idiom "not with a bang but with a whimper" refers to a conclusion or ending that is anticlimactic, disappointing, or lacks the expected intensity or impact. It originates from a line in T.S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men," which suggests that the world will end not in a dramatic manner, but rather in a quiet, insignificant way.
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not with a bang but a whimper
The idiom "not with a bang but a whimper" is a phrase derived from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men." It refers to an event or ending that is anticlimactic, unimpressive, or lacking in drama or significance. It implies that something concludes or ends quietly and without any impact or memorable effect.
Conjugate verb Whimper
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have whimpered
you
would have whimpered
he/she/it
would have whimpered
we
would have whimpered
they
would have whimpered
I
would have whimper
you
would have whimper
he/she/it
would have whimper
we
would have whimper
they
would have whimper
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been whimpering
you
would have been whimpering
he/she/it
would have been whimpering
we
would have been whimpering
they
would have been whimpering
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would whimper
you
would whimper
he/she/it
would whimper
we
would whimper
they
would whimper
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be whimpering
you
would be whimpering
he/she/it
would be whimpering
we
would be whimpering
they
would be whimpering
FUTURE
I
will whimper
you
will whimper
he/she/it
will whimper
we
will whimper
they
will whimper
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be whimpering
you
will be whimpering
he/she/it
will be whimpering
we
will be whimpering
they
will be whimpering
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have whimpered
you
will have whimpered
he/she/it
will have whimpered
we
will have whimpered
they
will have whimpered
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been whimpering
you
will have been whimpering
he/she/it
will have been whimpering
we
will have been whimpering
they
will have been whimpering
IMPERATIVE
you
whimper
we
let´s whimper
to whimper
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was whimpering
you
were whimpering
he/she/it
was whimpering
we
were whimpering
they
were whimpering
PAST PARTICIPLE
whimpered
PAST PERFECT
I
had whimpered
you
had whimpered
he/she/it
had whimpered
we
had whimpered
they
had whimpered
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been whimpering
you
had been whimpering
he/she/it
had been whimpering
we
had been whimpering
they
had been whimpering
PRESENT
I
whimper
you
whimper
he/she/it
whimpers
we
whimper
they
whimper
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am whimpering
you
are whimpering
he/she/it
is whimpering
we
are whimpering
they
are whimpering
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
whimpering
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have whimpered
you
have whimpered
he/she/it
has whimpered
we
have whimpered
they
have whimpered
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been whimpering
you
have been whimpering
he/she/it
has been whimpering
we
have been whimpering
they
have been whimpering
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
whimper
SIMPLE PAST
I
whimpered
you
whimpered
he/she/it
whimpered
we
whimpered
they
whimpered
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