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wail (v.)

c. 1300 (intransitive); mid-14c. (transitive), from Old Norse væla "to lament," from væ "woe" (see woe). Of jazz musicians, "to play very well," attested from 1955, American English slang (wailing "excellent" is attested from 1954). Related: Wailed; wailer.

wail (n.)

c. 1300; see wail (v.).

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Definitions of wail from WordNet
1
wail (v.)
emit long loud cries;
wail in self-pity
Synonyms: howl / ululate / roar / yawl / yaup
wail (v.)
cry weakly or softly;
she wailed with pain
Synonyms: whimper / mewl / pule
2
wail (n.)
a cry of sorrow and grief;
Synonyms: lament / lamentation / plaint
From wordnet.princeton.edu