ululate

[uhl-yuh-leyt, yool-] /ˈʌl yəˌleɪt, ˈyul-/
verb (used without object), ululated, ululating.
1.
to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl.
2.
to utter howling sounds, as in shrill, wordless lamentation; wail.
3.
to lament loudly and shrilly.
Origin
1615-25; < Latin ululātus, past participle of ululāre to howl, shriek, of imitative orig.; see -ate1
Related forms
ululation, noun
Examples from the web for ululation
  • The performances are slow and somber, dropping to a whisper or building to a breaking ululation.
  • The sound of ululation could be heard from sea to shining sea.
  • The one surprise that will cause deafening ululation from womenfolk.
British Dictionary definitions for ululation

ululate

/ˈjuːljʊˌleɪt/
verb
1.
(intransitive) to howl or wail, as with grief
Derived Forms
ululant, adjective
ululation, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin ululāre to howl, from ulula screech owl
Word Origin and History for ululation
n.

1590s, from Latin ululationem (nominative ululatio) "a howling or wailing," noun of action from past participle stem of ululare "ululate," a reduplicated imitative root (cf. Greek ololyzein "to cry aloud," Sanskrit ululih "a howling," Lithuanian uluti "howl," Gaelic uileliugh "wail of lamentation," Old English ule "owl").

ululate

v.

1620s, from Latin ululatus, past participle of ululare (see ululation). Related: Ululated; ululating.