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Added 9 October 2026

keening

adjective

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). More about keening at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Sharp, shrill, especially of a sound.
The keening sound of a dentist's drill sets my teeth on edge.

noun

Intense mournful wailing after a death, often at a funeral or wake.
An unpleasant wailing sound.

verb

present participle and gerund of keen

Origin

From keen + -ing, from Irish caoin.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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