caterwaul
UK[ˈkætəwɔːl]US[ˈkætərwɔːl]
v
to make a shrill, wailing noise like that of a cat
n
a shrill, wailing noise like that of a cat
Etymology
the word 'caterwaul' is a vivid english compound from the late 14th century, blending 'cater,' an obsolete term for a domestic cat, and 'waul,' an imitative verb meaning to cry or wail plaintively. the 'cater' element itself derives from middle dutch 'cater' or low german 'kater,' meaning tomcat. the entire formation is fundamentally onomatopoeic, designed to mimic the harsh, discordant sound of cats fighting or courting. its meaning has remained remarkably consistent, directly linking the sound-imitative roots to the modern sense of a loud, shrill, and unpleasant wail.
Analysis
this is a compound word formed from two distinct english words, but it is considered a single, fused lexical unit. it is not productively formed from separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the stray cats began to caterwaul outside my window at midnight.
the politician's speech was nothing more than a prolonged caterwaul of grievances.
from the alley came a sudden caterwaul that startled everyone in the quiet neighborhood.