I. verb
also squawl ˈskwȯl
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skval useless chatter, skvala to talk noisily, cry out and perhaps to Old Norse skjalla to clash, clatter — more at shill
intransitive verb
: to cry or cry out raucously : scream
a baby by the fire woke up and began to squall — Victoria Sackville-West
squalled in terror
transitive verb
: to utter in a strident voice
one of the commonplace psalm tunes, squalled by charity children — Court Magazine
II. noun
also squawl “
( -s )
: a raucous cry : squawk
some clubs, while on the field, keep up a constant squall of encouragement to their pitchers — R.O.Boyer
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish & Norwegian skval splash, ripple, rushing water and probably to Old Norse skval useless chatter
1. : a sudden violent wind often accompanied by rain or snow
2. : a short-lived commotion resembling a squall
his film career … has been … punctuated with the squalls of scandal — Arthur Knight
: squabble
she could hear another domestic squall starting next door
Synonyms: see wind
IV. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to blow a squall
the raw wind sagged with snow and the storms spat and squalled — Helen Rich