Wail
WAIL (Heb. mispēdh, nehî, Gr. alalazō, pentheō). In ancient funeral processions wailing relatives, often accompanied by hired female (sometimes male) mourners and musicians, preceded the body to the grave (Jer.9.17-Jer.9.18; Amos.5.16; Matt.9.23).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
wal, wal’-ing.
See BURIAL, III, 2; IV, 4, 5, 6.