shrike

shrike

noun \ˈshrīk, especially Southern ˈsrīk\

Definition of SHRIKE

: any of numerous usually largely gray or brownish oscine birds (family Laniidae) that have a hooked bill, feed chiefly on insects, and often impale their prey on thorns

Illustration of SHRIKE

Origin of SHRIKE

perhaps from Middle English *shrik, from Old English scrīc thrush; akin to Middle English shriken to shriek

First Known Use: 1544

Rhymes with SHRIKE

bike, dike, fyke, haik, hike, like, mike, pike, psych, sike, spike, strike, trike, tyke