November 16, 2015, 20:46
KallehKeening bitterly
Have you heard of/used
keen as a verb? I have not, and wondered if I just hadn't come across it - or - if it is more a British use as certainly the adjective is. This was the sentence in a book I am reading: "Maria stood in the hallway kneading her skirt in her hands and keening bitterly." She had lost all her belongings.
November 17, 2015, 00:38
BobHaleIt's not an everyday word but I've seen it often enough in literature.
November 17, 2015, 16:30
bethree5a powerful word, perhaps more so because we don't come across it that often (which is appropriate).
November 17, 2015, 18:00
GeoffYep, I've seen and heard it.
November 17, 2015, 19:00
KallehSo, Geoff, you've heard it and seen it used like that? Interesting, because I never have.
November 18, 2015, 23:33
arnieThe two meanings have totally different origins. The verb comes from the Irish
caoinim "I weep, wail, lament" whereas the adjective is from Old English
cene "bold, brave". See
http://www.etymonline.com/inde...n&allowed_in_frame=0November 19, 2015, 07:32
zmježdIt's right up there with ullulating. Mostly read it in literature.
November 19, 2015, 18:07
GeoffSo, Z, have ululately?

Good to see you here again! It gets lonely without you.
November 19, 2015, 19:26
KallehThat's a great word, too! I wonder why some words are used more in literature than in everyday talk, be it formal or informal. This book that I was reading was published in 2014, so it wasn't old.
Arnie, thanks for the explanation. Otherwise it just didn't make sense.