English word whinny comes from Proto-Indo-European *ḱweys-, and later Proto-Germanic *hwīnaną (To rush, make a rushing sound, whizz, hiss, squeal, whine.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *ḱweys- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *hwīnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To rush, make a rushing sound, whizz, hiss, squeal, whine. |
| hwīnan | Old English (ang) | |
| whinen | Middle English (enm) | |
| whine | English (eng) | (derogatory) a complaint or criticism. A long-drawn, high-pitched complaining cry or sound (intransitive) To complain or protest with a whine or as if with a whine.. (intransitive) To make a sound resembling such a cry.. (intransitive) To move with a whining sound.. (intransitive) To utter a high-pitched cry.. (transitive) To utter with the sound of a whine. |
| whinny | English (eng) | (transitive, intransitive, of a horse) To make a gentle neigh. A gentle neigh. |