n. & v.
n. 1 a a short shrill cry as of a mouse. b a slight high-pitched sound as of an unoiled hinge. 2 (also narrow squeak) a narrow escape, a success barely attained.
v. 1 intr. make a squeak. 2 tr. utter (words) shrilly. 3 intr. (foll. by by, through) colloq. pass narrowly. 4 intr. sl. turn informer.
[ ME, imit.: cf. SQUEAL, SHRIEK, and Sw. skvka croak ]