The word "whinnying" is spelled with six letters, consisting of two syllables. The first syllable starts with the "w" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /w/ followed by the "ih" vowel sound represented by /ɪ/. The second syllable begins with the "n" consonant sound written as /n/ and is followed by the "ee" sound, represented by /i/, and ends with the "ng" consonant sound written as /ŋ/. The phonetic transcription of "whinnying" is /ˈwɪniɪŋ/.
Whinnying is a verb that refers to the high-pitched vocalization made by horses. It is usually characterized by a series of short, repeated sounds produced by the horse's vocal cords, often accompanied by a slight nasal quality. This distinctive vocalization serves as a form of communication among horses, primarily expressing excitement, distress, or social interaction.
Rather than being a simple neigh, whinnying encompasses a wider range of sounds that can vary in pitch, duration, and intensity. It is most commonly heard when horses greet or recognize each other, when they are anticipating food or attention, or when they are feeling anxious or agitated. Whinnying is also known to occur during mating rituals, as a mare responds to the advances of a stallion or when a stallion tries to attract mares.
The sound produced during whinnying is often described as a shrill, whistling call that can carry over long distances. It typically combines elements of both inhalation and exhalation, resulting in a unique vocalization that distinguishes horses from other equine species.
Whinnying is an essential means of communication in the equine world, allowing horses to convey their emotions and intentions to one another. It plays a crucial role in their social dynamics, facilitating herd cohesion and reinforcing social bonds. Additionally, it helps humans understand and interpret horses' emotions and needs, providing valuable insights into their well-being and interactions within their environment.
The cry of a horse or foal.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word "whinnying" is derived from the Middle English word "whinnen", which meant to whine or whimper. This Middle English term was further derived from the Old English word "hwinsian" or "hwińsian", which meant to neigh or make a whinnying sound. The Old English word was likely imitative in nature, inspired by the sound of a horse's neigh. Over time, the word "hwinsian" transformed into "whinny", which is still used today to describe the characteristic high-pitched sound made by a horse. The suffix "-ing" is added to "whinny" to form the present participle "whinnying", which means the act of making a whinny sound.