— bleater , n. — bleatingly , adv.
/bleet/ , v.i.
1. to utter the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf or a sound resembling such a cry.
v.t.
2. to give forth with or as if with a bleat: He bleated his objections in a helpless rage.
3. to babble; prate.
n.
4. the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf.
5. any similar sound: the bleat of distant horns.
6. foolish, complaining talk; babble: I listened to their inane bleat all evening.
[ bef. 1000; ME bleten, OE blaetan; c. D blaten, OHG blazen; akin to L flere to weep ]