Shrills

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A sequence of sharp, high-frequency sounds may emerge suddenly and convey a sense of urgency or alarm
2. Noises that are high-pitched and piercing in nature can indicate excitement or distress in vocal forms
3. Sounds characterized by a high pitch and piercing quality often signal intense emotions or alertness, conveying urgency or distress

Etymology: "Shrills" is the third-person singular present of "shrill," so it is the verb form that describes something producing a high, piercing sound. The adjective "shrill" appears in Late Middle English as "schrille," "shirle," or "shrille," meaning high-pitched and piercing, and it may descend from an earlier "shil" or "schille," meaning loud and resounding. That older word traces back to Old English "sċill," meaning sonorous or resonant, a form of Germanic origin that is probably ultimately imitative of the sound it names. The most surprising part is the "r." Early forms had no "r" at all, and the letter was added later by analogy with Middle English words such as "skrīke," "skrīken," and "scrēmen," which mean to shriek or scream. The change may also have helped avoid confusion with Old English "sċill," meaning "shell," which sounded much the same in some dialects. The word is related to Icelandic "skella," meaning crash, bang, or slam, and to Low German "schrell," meaning sharp in taste or tone. Together these suggest a family of Germanic words built around sudden, sharp noise.

Synonyms: screeches, squeals

Antonyms: muffles, muted sounds