ululation

Definition

The act of ululating; a long, loud, wavering cry or howl.

Etymology

] Borrowed from Latin ululātiō, from ululō (“to howl, shriek, yell”) (from a reduplicated Proto-Indo-European imitative root) + -ātiō (suffix forming nouns relating to some action or the result of an action) (from Proto-Indo-European *-tis (suffix forming abstract or action nouns from verb roots)).

Example Sentences

• "The overthrown Martian set up a prolonged ululation, and immediately a second glittering giant, answering him, appeared over the trees[.]"
• "As we started there broke from the thick silent woods behind us a sudden great ululation of the ape-men, which may have been a cheer of triumph at our departure or a jeer of contempt at our flight."
• "Because it is not as reliable as the simple ululation or the louder cross-register ululation, it should be allowed a certain amount of preparation time."

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