cry

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a fit of weeping

   had a good cry

2. 2
   noun

   a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)

   a cry of rage

3. 3
   noun

   a slogan used to rally support for a cause

   a cry to arms

4. 4
   verb

   to shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain

   We cried at our loss.

5. 5
   verb

   to proclaim or announce in public

   I cried the news from the street corner.

6. 6
   verb

   to utter a characteristic sound

   The cat was crying

7. 7
   verb

   to demand immediate action

   This situation is crying for attention

8. 8
   verb

   To shed tears; to weep, especially in anger or sadness.

   That sad movie always makes me cry.

Etymology

The verb is from Middle English crien (13th century), from Old French crier, from Vulgar Latin *crītāre, generally thought to derive from Classical Latin quirītāre (Proto-West Germanic *krītan has also been suggested as a source). The noun corresponds to Middle English cry, crie, from Old French cri, a deverbal of crier. etymology note Middle English crien eventually displaced native Middle English galen (“to cry out”) (from Old English galan), Middle English greden (“to cry out”) (from Old English grǣdan), Middle English yermen (“to bellow, mourn, lament”) (from Old English ġierman), Middle E…