I. ˈkrī verb
( cried ; cry·ing )
Etymology: Middle English crien, from Anglo-French crier, from Latin quiritare to make a public outcry, perhaps from Quirit-, Quiris, Roman citizen
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1. : to utter loudly : shout
2. archaic : beg , beseech
3. : to proclaim publicly : advertise
cry their wares
intransitive verb
1. : to call loudly : shout
2. : to shed tears often noisily : weep , sob
3. : to utter a characteristic sound or call
4. : to require or suggest strongly a remedy or disposition
a hundred things which cry out for planning — Roger Burlingame
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- cry havoc
- cry over spilled milk
- cry wolf
II. noun
( plural cries )
Date: 13th century
1. : an instance of crying: as
a. : an inarticulate utterance of distress, rage, or pain
b. obsolete : outcry , clamor
2.
a. obsolete : proclamation
b. plural , Scottish : banns
3. : entreaty , appeal
a cry for help
4. : a loud shout
5. : watchword , slogan
6.
a. : common report
b. : a general opinion
7. : the public voice raised in protest or approval
8. : a fit of weeping
9. : the characteristic sound or call of an animal
10.
a. : a pack of hounds
b.
(1) : pursuit — used in the phrase in full cry
hounds in full cry
(2) : a peak of activity or excitement — used in the phrase in full cry
a campaign in full cry