neigh

[ ney ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a horse; whinny.

noun

1. the cry of a horse; whinny.

neigh

/ neɪ /

noun

1. the high-pitched cry of a horse; whinny

verb

1. intr to make a neigh or a similar noise
2. tr to utter with a sound like a neigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of neigh¹

before 1000; Middle English ney ( gh ) en, Old English hnǣgan, cognate with Middle Dutch neyen, Old Saxon hnēgian, Middle High German nēgen, Old High German hneigen, Old Norse hneggja; akin to Old Saxon hnechian; Middle Dutch nighen, Middle Low German nigen, Middle High German nyhen; and, with intrusion in the initial, Old Norse gneggja, Norwegian kneggja. See nag ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of neigh¹

Old English hnǣgan; related to Old Saxon hnēgian

Example Sentences

A meaty neigh came out of the man before him, stark naked and on all fours.

From The Daily Beast

Whilst he was speaking the horses began to neigh and snort and plunge wildly, so that the driver had to hold them up.

From Project Gutenberg

Young Matt knew the step of that horse, as well as he knew the sound of old Kate's bell, or the neigh of his own sorrel.

From Project Gutenberg

"No trouble at all," declared the horse, with a contemptuous neigh.

From Project Gutenberg

And at that moment the quiet air split to a piercing, horrid neigh of a terrified horse.

From Project Gutenberg

The neigh of the vicuña, like that of the other animals of its class, resembles a short, sharp whistle.

From Project Gutenberg