puling

A whining or whimpering.

Noun

  1. A whining or whimpering.
    • Leave this faint puling and lament as I do. - c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […]...
    • Let the songs be loud and cheerful, and not chirpings or pulings. - 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Masques and Triumphs”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
    • ‘None of that nonsense! We’re not going to hurt thee, Linton—isn’t that thy name? Thou art thy mother’s child, entirely! Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?’ - 1847 December, Ellis Bell [pseudonym; Emily Brontë],...

Origin

Etymology tree English pule English -ing English puling From pule + -ing.

Forms

pulings

Synonyms

mewling

Verb

  1. present participle and gerund of pule