squeal
[ skweel ]
/ skwil /
noun
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
Slang.
- an instance of informing against someone.
- a protest or complaint; beef.
verb (used without object)
to utter or emit a squeal or squealing sound.
Slang.
- to turn informer; inform.
- to protest or complain; beef.
verb (used with object)
to utter or produce with a squeal.
Nearby words
Origin of squeal
1250–1300; Middle English squelen; imitative
Related formssqueal·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for squeal
British Dictionary definitions for squeal
squeal
/ (skwiːl) /
noun
a high shrill yelp, as of pain
a screaming sound, as of tyres when a car brakes suddenly
verb
to utter a squeal or with a squeal
(intr) slang to confess information about another
(intr) informal, mainly British to complain or protest loudly
Derived Formssquealer, noun
Word Origin for squeal
C13 squelen, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for squeal
squeal
c.1300, probably of imitative origin, similar to Old Norse skvala "to cry out" (see squall (v.)). The sense of "inform on another" is first recorded 1865. The noun is attested from 1747.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper