1. The act or practice of wailing; loud lamentation
2. A usually prolonged cry or sound expressing grief or pain
3. A sound suggestive of wailing
4. A querulous expression of grievance; complaint

ETYM Cf. Icel. val choice, velja to choose, akin to Goth. waljan, German wählen.
(Homonym: wale, whale).
To cry weakly or softly; SYN. whimper, mewl, pule.