Ululation
/ˌjuː.ljʊˈleɪ.ʃən/noun
A long, high-pitched wailing cry, especially one made to express grief, celebration, or excitement.
Did you know?Ululation comes from Latin *ululare*, the howl of wolves and lamenters, and the same ancient sound-root helped shape words for wolves and wild crying across Indo-European languages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ul-
“An imitative root associated with howling or crying out”
Latin
Latin
ululare
“To howl, wail, or lament loudly”
Late Latin
Latin
ululatio
“A howling or lamenting cry”
14th–16th Century
English
ululation
“A howling lament or outcry”
Modern English
English
ululation
“A long, wavering cry of grief, joy, or excitement”