To cry out loudly in pain, grief, or despair; also the loud crying sound itself.
From Old Norse 'vǽla' (to lament). The word has Germanic roots and has been used in English since at least the 13th century to describe intense vocal expressions of sorrow.
Wailing appears in grief rituals across cultures—professional mourners in ancient Egypt, Ireland's keening tradition, and Middle Eastern funeral practices all formalized 'wailing' as a necessary human expression, suggesting our brains actually need to make these sounds.
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