Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Shriek \Shriek\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Shrieked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Shrieking}.] [OE. shriken, originallythe same word as E.
screech. See {Screech}, and cf. {Screak}.]
To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds
and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or
anguish.
It was the owl that shrieked. --Shak.
At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train Echoed
her grief. --Dryden.
Shriek \Shriek\, v. t.
To utter sharply and shrilly; to utter in or with a shriek or
shrieks.
On top whereof aye dwelt the ghostly owl, Shrieking his
baleful note. --Spenser.
She shrieked his name To the dark woods. --Moore.
Shriek \Shriek\, n.
A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as
is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like.
Shrieks, clamors, murmurs, fill the frighted town.
--Dryden.
{Shriek owl}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The screech owl.
(b) The swift; -- so called from its cry.
Source : WordNet®
shriek
n 1: sharp piercing cry; "her screaming attracted the neighbors"
[syn: {scream}, {screaming}, {shrieking}, {screech}, {screeching}]
2: a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry; "he ducked at
the screechings of shells"; "he heard the scream of the
brakes" [syn: {screech}, {screeching}, {shrieking}, {scream},
{screaming}]
v : utter a shrill cry [syn: {shrill}, {pipe up}, {pipe}]
Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing
shriek
{exclamation mark}