I. ˈshrēk, esp South ˈsrēk, dial ˈswēk verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably irregular from Middle English shriken to shriek; akin to Old Norse skrækja to screech — more at scream
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to utter a sharp shrill sound (as of some birds and animals)
hear … an old hare shriek — G.G.Carter
b. : to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech
the ladies shrieked at the sight of the skull — T.L.Peacock
a tangle of hysterical girls … sweeping down the main street, shrieking — Jean Stafford
2.
a. : to make a sound resembling a shriek
keep the siren shrieking — American Guide Series: Minnesota
the wind … shrieking like ten thousand devils — P.B.Cronk
b. : to suggest such a sound (as by vividness of expression)
yellow landscape print that shrieked from the flowered wallpaper — Margaret Long
transitive verb
1. : to utter or sound forth with a shriek or sharply and shrilly
shriek an alarm
the sirens shrieked their warning — Rotarian
2. : to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek
headlines shrieking their sensational news of the murder
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a shrill usually wild or involuntary cry (as of sudden or extreme terror or pain or of violent laughter)
a starling … gave a piercing shriek — Time
the agonizing shrieks of the wounded — Charles Lever
shrieks of mirth — R.B.D.French
2. : a sound resembling a shriek
the sudden shriek of chalk on a blackboard — Earle Birney