A plaintive cry is a sound made by an animal or person that expresses sadness or distress. The term can be broken down into five crossword solutions: HOWL (4 letters), Meow (4 letters), BLEAT (5 letters), Maa (3 letters), and Wah (3 letters). Howls are typically associated with wolves, while meows are associated with cats. Bleats are the sound made by sheep, maa is the sound made by goats, and wah is the sound made by babies. Mews are also associated with cats, but they are usually quieter than meows.