yelp

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a sharp, high-pitched cry, especially by a dog

   The yelp pierced the silent night sky and made its way through the streets of Chicago.

2. 2
   verb

   to bark in a high-pitched tone

   The puppies yelped when they heard the garage door open up.

3. 3
   noun

   An abrupt, high-pitched noise or utterance.

   The puppy let out a yelp when I stepped on her tail.

4. 4
   verb

   To utter an abrupt, high-pitched noise.

   The children yelped with delight as they played in the cold water.

From Middle English ȝelpen, yelpen, from Old English ġielpan (“to boast”), from Proto-West Germanic *gelpan, from Proto-Germanic *gelpaną (“to sound off, boast”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰel‑ (“to call, shout, scream”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian jalpe, galpe (“to bleep; cheep”), German Low German galpen (“to scream, shriek, howl”), Middle High German gelpfen, gelpfen (“to roar, howl, bark, boast, sing loudly”).

Topics