noun / verb
neigh
NAY/neɪ/
The characteristic cry of a horse.
The horse lifts its neck and neighs.
Etymology
Old English hnægan already meant to make a horse’s cry. The word probably arose as an imitation of that sound, rather than from a descriptive compound.
In context
Don Quixote and Sancho were left alone, and the moment Samson took his departure, Rocinante began to neigh, and Dapple to sigh
More examples
- A loud neigh answered from the paddock.
- She recognized the pony's familiar neigh.
- The horses began neighing as the feed cart approached.
Forms
neigh · neighs · neighed · neighing
Similar words
- whinny
- Whinny is another word for a horse's cry, often suggesting a gentler sound.
- snort
- A snort is a forceful nasal sound, different from a horse's neigh.