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shrill

 - 2 dictionary results

shrill

  [shril] adjective, -er, -est, verb, noun, adverb
Use shrill in a Sentence
–adjective
1. high-pitched and piercing in sound quality: a shrill cry.
2. producing such a sound.
3. full of or characterized by such a sound: shrill music.
4. betraying some strong emotion or attitude in an exaggerated amount, as antagonism or defensiveness.
5. marked by great intensity; keen: the shrill, incandescent light of the exploding bomb.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
6. to cry shrilly.
–noun
7. a shrill sound.
–adverb
8. in a shrill manner; shrilly.
Origin:
1300–50; ME shrille (adj., v.); akin to OE scrallettan to sound loudly; c. G schrill (adj.), schrillen (v.); cf. ON skrīll rabble

Related forms:
shrillness, noun
shrilly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To shrill
shrill   (shrĭl)   
adj.   shrill·er, shrill·est

  1. High-pitched and piercing in tone or sound: the shrill wail of a siren.

  2. Producing a sharp, high-pitched tone or sound: a shrill fife.

  3. Sharp or keen to the senses; harshly vivid: shrill colors.

v.   shrilled, shrill·ing, shrills

v.   tr.
To utter in a shrill manner; scream.
v.   intr.
To produce a shrill cry or sound.

[Middle English shrille.]
shrill'ness n., shril'ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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