I. ˈyel verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English yellen, from Old English giellan; akin to Old High German gellan to yell, Old Norse gjalla, Old English galan to sing, scream
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to utter a loud cry, scream, or shout usually expressive of intense emotion (as of excitement, pain or fear, pleasure or joy)
the two boys yelled with fear — Pearl Buck
the crowd yelled and shouted with delight — Sherwood Anderson
the hyenas were yelling like demons
b. : to make an articulate utterance with a scream or shout
hearing him yell for help with what words he could muster
is yelling across the water to ask who we are
c. : to give a cheer usually in unison (as at an athletic contest)
we yelled together for the teams — Duke University Alumni Register
2. : to make a loud strident noise resembling or suggestive of a yell
the wind shouts in the sails and yells through the rigging
the brook crashes and yells down the rocky pitch
the locomotive yells in warning and thunders over the crossing
3. : to complain or protest with or as if with a yell
gives the extremists a chance to yell — O.W.Holmes †1935
let the opposition yell , we have the vote
transitive verb
1. : to utter or declare with or as if with a yell : shout
as the students leave they yell “Merry Christmas” back and forth
able to yell a warning just in time
the other boys yell names at him
2. : to affect or bring to a specified state or condition by yelling
yelled up the dogs — Hugh Fosburgh
yell the team to victory
the crows are yelling their heads off
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from yellen to yell
: an act or instance of yelling: as
a. : an often involuntary scream or shout resulting from intense excitement or strong emotion
with yells of fiendish delight the savages greeted their enemy — Francis Birtles
a waiting crowd … let out a tumultous yell of greeting — Carl Sandburg
heard the lacerating yell of a scared bird shrill in his ear — W.W.Gibson
b. : a shout consisting of an articulated phrase or statement
c. : a characteristic shout or cry (as in battle)
the Apache yell
the rebel yell
d. : a usually rhythmic shout or cheer consisting of a specified set of syllables or words used especially in schools or colleges to encourage or support athletic teams
e. : a noise suggestive of or resembling a yell
the hoarse, strident yell of the siren — Donn Byrne