keens

Cries for dead

Keens is the third-person singular of keen, which has two distinct meanings.

One keen means eager or enthusiastic—She keens for adventure—though this construction is rare; "is keen on" or "is keen to" are more natural.

The other keen means to wail in grief or lamentation, particularly in Irish tradition: She keens over the body of her husband.

wailing

lament

Mournful expression of grief

wailProlonged mournful cry
cryVocal expression of emotion
howlProlonged mournful cry

moan · ululate · sob · shriek · groan · whimper · caterwaul · bawl · yowl · screech

sharp

acute

Intensely severe or perceptive

piercingPenetrating or very sharp
sharp-eyedHaving keen vision
perceptiveQuick to understand

astute · discerning · shrewd · incisive · alert · observant · quick · penetrating · razor-sharp · eager

grief

sorrow

Deep emotional distress

bereavementState following loss
heartacheDeep emotional distress
anguishIntense mental suffering

loss · desolation · mourning · despair · woe · misery · sadness · heartbreak · affliction · torment

funeral

wake

Path left in water

burialPlacing deceased underground
intermentPutting a body underground
cortegeCeremonial attendant procession

pallbearer · hearse · cemetery · graveyard · obituary · eulogy · requiem · funeral rites · death watch · vigil

Categories

vocal soundscry, sings, hums, croons, coo
outcriescries, screams, shouts, yells, howls

Opposites

vocal expression of grief

Speaks very quietly

murmurs · croons · mutters · drones

emotional response to loss

keenscelebrates

Honors with festivities

rejoices · exults · laughs · cheers · bottles up

Phrases

keen edgeFinely honed cutting surface
keen onEnthusiastic about
peachy keenExtremely satisfactory, old-fashioned style
keen sense of smell
keen mind
keen sense

Family

keen, keenness, keening, keenest, keener, keened, keeners

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G