noun / verb
yelp
YELP/jˈɛlp/
A short, sharp cry of pain or surprise, or to make such a cry.
She yelps in pain as her bare foot lands on a toy brick.
Etymology
Old English gielpan meant “to boast, exult”; the verb later meant calling out loudly. The modern quick, sharp cry developed from that broader sense, probably under the influence of the noun yelp.
In context
Legend tells of Norse invaders creeping barefoot through the night, only to yelp in pain when stepping on thistles, alerting the Scots and saving the kingdom.
More examples
- He lets out a yelp when the cold water hits him.
- The puppy yelped when I accidentally stepped on its paw.
- A sudden clap of thunder startled her into yelping.
Forms
yelp · yelps · yelped · yelping