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Webster 1913 Edition

Shriek

Shriek

,
Verb.
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
.
Shakespeare
At this she
shrieked
aloud; the mournful train
Echoed her grief.
Dryden.

Shriek

,
Verb.
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

,
Noun.
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
.
(Zool.)
(a)
The screech owl
.
(b)
The swift; – so called from its cry.

Webster 1828 Edition

Shriek

SHRIEK

,
Verb.
I.
[L. ruga, wrinkled, rugo, to bray.] To utter a sharp shrill cry; to scream; as in sudden fright, in horror or anguish.
At this she shriek'd aloud. Dryden.
It was the owl that shriek'd. Shak.

SHRIEK

,
Noun.
A sharp shrill outcry or scream, such as is produced by sudden anger or extreme anguish.

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