I. ˈshrēk, especially Southern ˈsrēk verb
Etymology: Middle English shreken, probably irregular from shriken to shriek; akin to Old Norse skrækja to shriek
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1. : to utter a sharp shrill sound
2.
a. : to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech
b. : to suggest such a cry (as by vividness of expression)
neon colors shriek ed for attention — Calvin Tomkins
transitive verb
1. : to utter with a shriek
shriek an alarm
2. : to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek
II. noun
Date: 1567
1. : a shrill usually wild or involuntary cry
2. : a sound resembling a shriek
the shriek of chalk on the blackboard