Keening

The keening sound of the ambulance pierced through the silence of the night.

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

The widow sat alone in her empty house, keening softly for the husband she had lost.