Main Entry: ¹cry

Pronunciation: \ˈkrī\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): cried; cry·ing

Etymology: Middle English crien, from Anglo-French crier, from Latin quiritare to make a public outcry, perhaps from Quirit-, Quiris, Roman citizen

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 : to utter loudly : shout
2 archaic : beg, beseech
3 : to proclaim publicly : advertise <cry their wares>intransitive verb 1 : to call loudly : shout
2 : to shed tears often noisily : weep, sob
3 : to utter a characteristic sound or call
4 : to require or suggest strongly a remedy or disposition <a hundred things which cry out for planning — Roger Burlingame>

— cry havoc : to sound an alarm

— cry over spilled milk : to express vain regrets for what cannot be recovered or undone

— cry wolf : to give alarm unnecessarily