\Whine\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Whined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Whining}.] [OE. whinen, AS. hw[=i]nan to make a whistling,
whizzing sound; akin to Icel. hv[=i]na, Sw. hvina, Dan.
hvine, and probably to G. wiehern to neigh, OHG. wih[=o]n,
hweij[=o]n; perhaps of imitative origin. Cf. {Whinny}, v. i.]
To utter a plaintive cry, as some animals; to moan with a
childish noise; to complain, or to tell of sorrow, distress,
or the like, in a plaintive, nasal tone; hence, to complain
or to beg in a mean, unmanly way; to moan basely. ``Whining
plovers.'' --Spenser.
      The hounds were . . . staying their coming, but with a
      whining accent, craving liberty.         --Sir P.
                                               Sidney.
      Dost thou come here to whine?            --Shak.

\Whine\, v. t.
To utter or express plaintively, or in a mean, unmanly way;
as, to whine out an excuse.

\Whine\, n.
A plaintive tone; the nasal, childish tone of mean complaint;
mean or affected complaint.