I. ˈhau̇l, esp before pause or consonant -au̇əl verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English houlen; akin to Middle Dutch hūlen to howl, Middle High German hiulen, hiuweln to howl, Old High German hūwila owl, Greek kōkyein to shriek, wail, lament, Sanskrit kauti he cries out
intransitive verb
1. : to utter or emit a loud sustained doleful sound or outcry characteristic of dogs and wolves
wolves howling in the arctic night
the only sound is a melancholy wind howling — John Buchan
2. : to cry out or exclaim with lack of restraint and prolonged loudness through strong impulse, feeling, or emotion
the scalded men howling in agony
the hungry mob howled about the Senate house, threatening fire and massacre — J.A.Froude
proctors howling at the blunder
3. : to go on a spree or rampage
this is my night to howl
transitive verb
1. : to utter or announce noisily with unrestrained demonstrative outcry
newsboys howling the news
2. : to affect, effect, or drive by adverse outcry — used especially with down
supporters of the Administration … ready to howl down any suggestion of criticism — Wall Street Journal
Synonyms: see roar
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a loud protracted mournful rising and falling cry characteristic of a dog or a wolf
2.
a. : a prolonged cry of distress : wail
b. : a yell or outcry of disappointment, rage, or protest
3. : protest , complaint
raise a howl over high taxes
set up a howl that he was being cheated
4. : something that provokes laughter
his act was a howl
5. : a noise produced in an electronic amplifier usually by undesired regeneration of alternating currents of audio frequency : oscillation — called also squeal