Vocalizations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Sounds generated by organisms, primarily for interaction or emotional signaling
2. Noises or utterances made by creatures to convey messages or feelings
3. Audible expressions formed by animals or humans to express themselves or interact

Etymology: "Vocalization" is a plural noun form here, so it is the plural of "vocalization," a formation from "vocalize" plus the suffix "-ation." The root is Latin "vōx," meaning voice, which passed into Latin derivatives such as "vōcālis," meaning vocal or relating to the voice. That adjective came into English as "vocal" through Middle English, and the verb "vocalize" was built on it by adding the Greek-derived suffix "-ize," which entered English through Latin and Old French. The noun ending "-ation" traces back to Latin "-ātiō," which English received through Old French "-ation." Adding it to "vocalize" produced "vocalization," meaning the act of producing sound with the voice. Its plural simply counts multiple instances of such sounds, whether made by birds, whales, infants or people speaking.

Synonyms: sounds, noises, utterances