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squawk - 5 dictionary results

squawk

  [skwawk]
Use squawk in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to utter a loud, harsh cry, as a duck or other fowl when frightened.
2. Informal. to complain loudly and vehemently.
–verb (used with object)
3. to utter or give forth with a squawk.
–noun
4. a loud, harsh cry or sound.
5. Informal. a loud, vehement complaint.
6. the black-crowned night heron.
See under night heron.

Origin:
1815–25; b. squall 2 and hawk 3

Related forms:
squawker, noun

Synonyms:
2. grumble, gripe, complain, yelp.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To squawk
squawk   (skwôk)   
v.   squawked, squawk·ing, squawks

v.   intr.
  1. To utter a harsh scream; screech.
  2. Informal To complain or protest noisily or peevishly.
v.   tr.
To utter with or as if with a squawk.
n.  
  1. A loud screech.
  2. A noisy complaint.

[Imitative.]
squawk'er n.
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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Squawk

Squawk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Squawked; p. pr. & vb. n. Squawking.] [See Squeak.] To utter a shrill, abrupt scream; to squeak harshly.

Squawking thrush (Zo["o]l.), the missel turush; -- so called from its note when alarmed. [Prov. Eng.]

Squawk

Squawk\, n. 1. Act of squawking; a harsh squeak.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The American night heron. See under Night.

Squawk duck (Zo["o]l.), the bimaculate duck (Anas glocitans). It has patches of reddish brown behind, and in front of, each eye. [Prov. Eng.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : squawk
Italian: (strido rauco),
German: das Kreischen,
Japanese: がーがーという鳴き声
More Translations »

squawk  (v.)
1821, probably of imitative origin (cf. dial. It. squacco "small crested heron"). The noun is attested from 1850. Squawk-box "loud-speaker" is from 1945.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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