wailer

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈweɪlə/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (US) enPR: wāʹlər, IPA(key): /ˈweɪlɚ/
  • Rhymes: -eɪlə(ɹ)
  • Homophone: whaler (wine–whine merger)

Etymology 1

From Middle English wayler, weilere; equivalent to wail +‎ -er.

Noun

wailer (plural wailers)

  1. One who wails or laments.
  2. A professional hired mourner.
    Synonym: (rare) moirologist
Translations

Etymology 2

From wail +‎ -er; see wail (“choose, select”).

Noun

wailer (plural wailers)

  1. (mining, historical) A boy employed to pick out stones, pyrites, etc. remaining in the coal after it is screened.

Anagrams

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