skirl

[ skurl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to play the bagpipe.
2. Scot. and North England. to shriek.

noun

1. the sound of a bagpipe.
2. Scot. and North England. any shrill sound.

skirl

/ skɪrl; skɜːl /

verb

1. dialect.
   (esp of bagpipes) to emit a shrill sound
2. to play the bagpipes

noun

1. the sound of bagpipes
2. a shrill sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of skirl¹

1350–1400; Middle English scirlen, skrillen (v.), perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian skrella boom, crash

Word History and Origins

Origin of skirl¹

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; see shrill

Example Sentences

A roll of a drum and the skirl of a fife came wafting across the valley on the April breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

His shout was dim under the hoot and skirl of wind: "If ye like it so well down here, then help us bail!"

From Project Gutenberg

The skirl of bagpipes shrilled from without—that exotic, half-barbarous sound now coming intimately into her life.

From Project Gutenberg

A swarm of mosquitoes buzzed in the glare thrown by the lamp with a shrill, attenuated sound like the skirl of far-away bagpipes.

From Project Gutenberg

And he himsel' looked round on me, like the devil he is; and, wi' a skirl o' a laugh, he strikes the lantern out o' my hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blare
• hiss