breast-beating

noun

breast-beat·​ing ˈbres(t)-ˌbē-tiŋ How to pronounce breast-beating (audio)
: noisy demonstrative protestation (as of grief, anger, or self-recrimination)

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breast-beating was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near breast-beating

Cite this Entry

“Breast-beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breast-beating. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!