Keening

The keening whistle of the tea kettle signaled that the water had boiled.

The keening whistle of the teapot signaled that the water was boiling.

The old haunted house echoed with the keening cries of unseen spirits.

The patient lay in the hospital bed, his keening thoughts consumed by the desire to be healthy again.

The traditional keening at the Irish wake added an emotional element to the farewell ceremony.