querulously

English

WOTD – 28 December 2007

Etymology

From 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):

  (file)

Adverb

querulously (comparative more querulously, superlative most querulously)

1. With grumbling, complaining, or whining.
   • 1855 December – 1857 June, Charles Dickens, “What was behind Mr. Pancks on Little Dorrit’s Hand”, in Little Dorrit, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1857, →OCLC, book the first (Poverty), page 313:

     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.

   • 1887, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “A Study in Scarlet”, in Beeton’s Christmas Annual, London; New York, N.Y.: Ward, Lock & Co., part I (Being a reprint from the reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D., […]), chapter II (The Science of Deduction), page 14:

     "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. […]"

   • 1907, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, “The German Air-fleet”, in The War in the Air: […], London: George Bell and Sons, published 1908, →OCLC, § 2, page 113:

     "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, chapter XVII, in Plague Ship:

     "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 (fi)
• Polish: płaczliwie (pl)
• Scots: fashiously