Whine (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whining.] [OE. whinen, AS. hwinan to make a whistling, whizzing sound; akin to Icel. hvina, Sw. hvina, Dan. hvine, and probably to G. wiehern to neigh, OHG. wihn, hweijn; perhaps of imitative origin. Cf. Whinny, v. i.]
To utter a plaintive cry, as some animals; to mean with a childish noise; to complain, or to tell of sorrow, distress, or the like, in a plaintive, nasal tone; hence, to complain or to beg in a mean, unmanly way; to moan basely.
"
Whining plovers."
Spenser.
The hounds were . . . staying their coming, but with a whining accent, craving liberty.
Sir P. Sidney.
Dost thou come here to whine?
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Whine, v. t.
To utter or express plaintively, or in a mean, unmanly way; as, to whine out an excuse.
© Webster 1913.
Whine, n.
A plaintive tone; the nasal, childish tone of mean complaint; mean or affected complaint.
© Webster 1913.