[f. as prec. + -ING1.] The crying of a sheep, goat or calf; also contemptuously said of human utterances.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xlvi. (1495), 807. A kydde … knowyth and sekyth his moder wyth bletyng.
1578. Gude & Godlie Ballates (1868), 163. Sing on guk, guk, the blating of zour queir.
1611. Bible, Judges v. 16. To heare the bleatings of the flocks.
1781. Cowper, Convers., 588. Known by thy bleating, Ignorance thy name.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, III. 343. The brute beasts in their lowing and bleating.
b. attrib. (passing into the ppl. a.)
1773. G. White, Selborne, xxxix. In breeding time the cock-snipes make a blearing noise.
1834. J. Forbes, Laennec’s Dis. Chest, 429. The voice, having the bleating character strongly marked.
