querulously

querulously

English

WOTD – 28 December 2007

Etymology

querulous +‎ -ly

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkwɛɹ.ʊ.ləs.li/, /ˈkwɛɹ.jʊ.ləs.li/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkwɛɹ.jə.ləs.li/

• Audio (US)

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Adverb

querulously (comparative more querulously, superlative most querulously)

1. With grumbling, complaining, or whining.
   • 1857, Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, book 1, chapter 35

     It was his last demonstration for that time; as, after shedding some more tears and querulously complaining that he couldn’t breathe, he slowly fell into a slumber.

   • 1877, Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet

     "There are no crimes and no criminals in these days," he said, querulously. "What is the use of having brains in our profession. I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural talent to the detection of crime which I have done. And what is the result? There is no crime to detect, or, at most, some bungling villainy with a motive so transparent that even a Scotland Yard official can see through it."

   • 1907 - H. G. Wells, The War in the Air, chapter IV

     "I wish to 'eaven I 'adn't these silly sandals on," he cried querulously to the universe. "They give the whole blessed show away."

   • 1956 - Andre Norton, Plague Ship, chapter XVII

     "If we're heroes," Dane asked a little querulously, "what are we doing locked up here?"

Synonyms

• (with grumbling): fretfully, peevishly, whiningly

Related terms

• querulous
• querulousness

Translations

with grumbling, complaining or whining

Czech: fňukavě, hašteřivě Finnish: marisevasti, maristen (fi), nurkuen

Polish: płaczliwie Scots: fashiously