Pronunciation: [blˈiːtɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "bleating" is spelled b-l-e-a-t-i-n-g. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ˈblitɪŋ/. The first syllable "blea" is pronounced as /bli/, with a short "i" sound, and the second syllable "ting" is pronounced as /tɪŋ/, with a short "i" sound and a nasal consonant "n." "Bleating" refers to the characteristic sound that sheep make, typically a high-pitched and repetitive noise.
Bleating is a verb that refers to the characteristic vocalization or sound made by certain animals, particularly sheep and goats. It is often produced as a high-pitched, repetitive, and wavering cry or call.
In the context of animal communication, bleating serves as an important means of expression, allowing these animals to communicate various messages to each other, their young, or their human caretakers. The sound is typically produced by the vocal cords and expelling air through the animal's mouth or nostrils.
Bleating is often associated with sheep, which are known for their gentle and melodic vocalizations. Their bleats can vary in tone and intensity depending on the situation or emotional state of the animal. For instance, a sheep may emit shorter, sharper bleats when alarmed or startled, while a softer and more prolonged bleat may indicate a need for attention, hunger, or distress.
Similarly, goats, which are also known for their ability to bleat, produce a range of vocalizations that convey different messages. Goats can bleat loudly when feeling threatened or in the mating season, or they may emit softer bleats when seeking companionship or expressing hunger. Their versatile bleating patterns allow them to effectively communicate with one another and form social bonds within their herd.
Overall, bleating plays a vital role in the communication and expression of sheep and goats, serving as a fundamental means for conveying various emotions, needs, and intentions through distinctive vocalization.
The cry of a sheep.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bleating" is derived from the Middle English word "blaten", which itself is closely related to the Old English word "blǣtan". Both "blaten" and "blǣtan" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "blǣtaną". This ultimately goes back to the Proto-Indo-European root "bʰleh₁-", meaning "to bleat, cry out". The word "bleating" specifically refers to the characteristic vocalization sound made by sheep or goats.
