| / English Dictionary |
GRUMBLING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
Synonyms:
grumble; grumbling; murmur; murmuring; mutter; muttering
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("grumbling" is a kind of...):
complaint (an expression of grievance or resentment)
Derivation:
grumble (make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A loud low dull continuous noise
Example:
they heard the rumbling of thunder
Synonyms:
grumble; grumbling; rumble; rumbling
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("grumbling" is a kind of...):
noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))
Derivation:
grumble (to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds)
grumble (make a low noise)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Continuous full and low-pitched throbbing sound
Example:
the rumbling rolling sound of thunder
Synonyms:
grumbling; rumbling
Classified under:
Similar:
full ((of sound) having marked deepness and body)
III. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb grumble
Context examples:
Then followed a battle of looks between them, but the captain soon knuckled under, put up his weapon, and resumed his seat, grumbling like a beaten dog.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
So they finally departed, grumbling greatly that in all probability, if the thing were so, he had neglected to cut up the carcasses.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
If he cannot speak like an Englishman I trow that he can fight like an Englishman, and he was hammering at the gates of Paris while ale-house topers were grutching and grumbling at home.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
As soon as the dwarf felt himself free he laid hold of a bag which lay amongst the roots of the tree, and which was full of gold, and lifted it up, grumbling to himself: Uncouth people, to cut off a piece of my fine beard.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
Of course much grumbling went on, and little outbursts were continually occurring.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
The tea table was ready, and our little locker was put out in its old place, but instead of coming to sit by me, she went and bestowed her company upon that grumbling Mrs. Gummidge: and on Mr. Peggotty's inquiring why, rumpled her hair all over her face to hide it, and could do nothing but laugh.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
There was no grumbling, no bickering, nor petty quarrelling in the little cabin, and they often congratulated one another on the general happiness of the party.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
But the carter, grumbling to himself, “You make it the worse for me, indeed! what can you do?” cracked his whip, and drove his cart over the poor dog, so that the wheels crushed him to death.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
But of Johnson’s grumbling at the slop-chest I knew nothing, so that what I witnessed came with a shock of sudden surprise.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
I made no complaint, but Wolf Larsen demanded the most punctilious sea etiquette in my case,—far more than poor Johansen had ever received; and at the expense of several rows, threats, and much grumbling, he brought the hunters to time.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
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