/ skwiːl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to make a long, high sound :
The pigs were squealing.
The car squealed to a halt.
Children were running around squealing with excitement.
2.
to speak in a very high voice, especially when you are excited or nervous :
[ v speech ]
'Don't!' she squealed.
[also v ]
3.
[ v ] squeal (on sb) ( informal , disapproving ) to give information, especially to the police, about sth illegal that sb has done
■ noun
a long high cry or sound :
a squeal of pain
a squeal of delight
He stopped with a squeal of brakes.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a verb): imitative. The noun dates from the mid 18th cent.