Main Entry:

¹shriek

Pronunciation:

\ˈshrēk, especially Southern ˈsrēk\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English shreken, probably irregular from shriken to shriek; akin to Old Norse skrækja to shriek

Date:

15th century

intransitive verb1: to utter a sharp shrill sound2 a: to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech b: to suggest such a cry (as by vividness of expression) <neon colors shrieked for attention — Calvin Tomkins>transitive verb1: to utter with a shriek <shriek an alarm>2: to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek