skirl
[skurl]
verb (used without object)
to play the bagpipe.
Scot. and North England. to shriek.
noun
the sound of a bagpipe.
Scot. and North England. any shrill sound.
RELATED WORDS
blare, hiss, sound, signal, whine, warble, pipe, toot, whiz, wheeze, blast, shriek, fife, trill, tootle, flute
Origin of skirl
1350–1400; Middle English scirlen, skrillen (v.), perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian skrella boom, crash
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for skirl
Historical Examples of skirl
Dancing was engaged in around the bonfire to the skirl of the philabeg.
Come here—or stay where ye are, and skirl as loud as ye can; it's a' ye're gude for.
Bride of LammermoorSir Walter Scott
Then a skirl of laughter, the piercingness of which, near to, could only be guessed at.
The Disturbing CharmBerta Ruck
Cannot one hear the skirl of the pipes amid that din of cannon and musketry?
The Red YearLouis Tracy
Shriller than the scream of shells above them was the skirl of pipes, going with them.
Now It Can Be ToldPhilip Gibbs
skirl
verb (intr)
noun
Word Origin for skirl
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; see shrill
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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