Cackling Meaning and Definition
Cackling
Pronunciation
/ˈkæk.əl.ɪŋ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A loud, harsh, and guttural sound, often associated with the call of certain birds, or a mocking or mimicking copy of such a sound.
Examples
- The cackling of the hyena echoed through the forest.
- The comedian’s cackling impersonation of the duck had the audience in stitches.
Synonyms
- Cackle
- Harsh call
Antonyms
- Soft call
- Mellifluous sound
Etymology
The word “Cackling” originated from the Old English word “cæcian”, meaning “to make a harsh or croaking noise”, which is believed to have been imitative of the sound of a bird’s call.
Usage Notes
Cackling can be used as a verb or a noun, and it’s often used to describe a loud, mocking, or mimicking sound, especially of a bird or an animal.
Cultural References
Cackling has been featured in various forms of media, including literature, music, and film. For example, the word is used in the title of a famous novel by Robert Burns, “The Cackling Crow”, and in a song by the band “Cackling Fowl”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Idiomatic expressions that include the word “Cackling” include “to cackle with laughter” and “to mimic a cackling sound”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “Cackling” include “Cackle”, “Raucous”, and “Hooting”.
Collocations
Common word combinations with the term “Cackling” include “cackling with laughter”, “cackling sound”, and “cackling bird”.
Frequency of Use
The word “Cackling” is not extremely common, but it is used regularly in informal contexts, especially in writing and speech about birds, animals, or mimicry.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “Cackling” include “Calkling” and “Cacklinge”.