squeakn.
/skwiːk/, U.S. /skwik/ 1. The act of squeaking. †to put to the squeak, to cause to squeak.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (transitive)] > cause to squeak
to put to the squeak1660
1660 in C. Mackay Coll. Songs London Prentices (1841) 92 They took my py-ball'd mare; And put the carrion wench to th' squeak.
1664 G. Etherege Comical Revenge iv. iii. 54 (The women shriek within.) Hark, he puts them to the squeek.
2. figurative.1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. II. x. 252 There is something in the..frivolous and fragile celibacy of his life, which..gives a peculiarly revolting character to the perpetual squeak of his censoriousness.1977 Spare Rib July 10/1 We've hardly heard a squeak out of them since.1982 S. Brett Murder Unprompted iv. 41 ‘I'm surprised you haven't heard anything about it... You sure you haven't heard anything?’ ‘Not a squeak.’
a. A short or slight sound, of a thin high-pitched character, made by animals or persons. Also figurative in neg. contexts (colloquial): cf. peep n.1 3b.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [noun] > squeak
peep?a1500
peeping1552
squeak1700
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Cock & Fox in Fables 250 With many a deadly Grunt and doleful Squeak Poor Swine, as if their pretty Hearts would break.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 157. ⁋7 With a great many skittish notes, affected squeaks, and studied inconsistencies.
1775 F. Burney Jrnl. 14 Dec. in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1990) II. 194 We asked if he had been to the Opera? He immediately began a squeak, by way of imitation.
1827 W. Scott Jrnl. 17 Apr. (1941) 43 Our party was enlivend by the squeaks of the wenches.
1866 R. M. Ballantyne Shifting Winds xxx. 342 The squeak of the pig caused the rest of the family to turn and fly from the fatal spot.
b. A thin, sharp sound produced by a musical instrument, etc.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [noun] > shrill
squeak1805
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > [noun] > thin and shrill sound > squeak
squeakinga1616
squeak1805
squeaklet1832
squeakiness1846
squirk1902
pipsqueak1927
1805 H. K. White Let. 6 July in Remains (1807) I. 167 The vile squeak of the Italian fiddle.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic ix. 229 Vibrations of such frequency afford only a shrill squeak or chirp.
1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xxvi. 309 Shrill above the boom of the temple drums..would come the squeak of the thlimba.
3.
a. A slight, narrow, or bare chance for something.
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the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or opportunity > slight chance
squeak1716
earthly1897
1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. 303 If we have success, you shall.., perchance, have a squeek for the renewing a great part, at least, of your old Hereditary Lease.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. v. 104 To caution my Readers, that they do not too hastily condemn what I advance, but to give me a Squeak for my Life (as the Saying is).
1807 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life II. xvi. 77 I will give you—though I'm a fool for my pains—however, I will give you one squeak more for your inheritance.
1868 Chambers's Jrnl. Oct. 675/2 See all ready with the boat,..it may give us a squeak for our lives, if a little one.
b. A narrow escape, a close shave. Usually with qualifying adjectives narrow, near, tight. Also const. for (one's life, etc.).
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the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [noun] > narrow
rub and go1790
touch and go1816
squeak1822
near go1826
close shave1834
a near (also close) toucher1844
squeeze1848
near-run thing1860
close call1881
1822 W. Scott Let. 4 Sept. (1934) VII. 230 I became extremely feverish myself and had the disorder not terminated in a general rash..I should have had a squeak for it.
1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle's Log II. i. 2 I have had more than one narrow squeak for it.
1841 Punch 11 Dec. 253/1 I had a tight squeak for it.
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset II. lxxix. 339 ‘It was..a very narrow squeak,’ Mr. Crawley had said when his friend congratulated him on his escape.
1880 Mrs. H. Wood in Argosy 29 191 At the last moment, when the ship was getting away, and I had given the captain up, he came on board... ‘I've had a squeak for it, Johnny,’ he laughed, as he shook my hand.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Lett. (1899) II. 136 We had a near squeak, the wind suddenly coming calm.
1939 A. Ransome Secret Water x. 121 You oughtn't to have waited. It's going to be a squeak getting home across the Wade.
4. † a. Cant. (See quot. 1795) Obsolete.
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society > communication > information > informing on or against > [noun] > informer
wrayerc1000
wrobberc1300
discoverera1400
denunciator1474
informer1503
denouncer1533
detector1541
delatora1572
sycophant1579
inquisitor1580
scout1585
finger man1596
emphanista1631
quadruplator1632
informant1645
eastee-man1681
whiddler1699
runner1724
stag1725
snitch1785
qui tam1788
squeak1795
split1819
clype1825
telegraph1825
snitcher1827
Jack Nasty1837
pigeon1847
booker1863
squealer1865
pig1874
rounder1884
sneak1886
mouse1890
finger1899
fizgig1902
screamer1902
squeaker1903
canary1912
shopper1924
narker1932
snurge1933
cheese eater1935
singer1935
tip-off1941
top-off1941
tout1959
rat fink1961
whistle-blower1970
1795 H. T. Potter New Dict. Cant & Flash (ed. 2) Squeak, a thief, who when taken up confesses and impeaches the rest of his companions.
b. A piece of incriminating information offered to the police; to put in the (or a) squeak: to turn informer, to inform against.
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society > communication > information > informing on or against > [noun] > incriminating information
squeak1922
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. 469 The squeak is out. A split is gone for the flatties.
1936 ‘J. Curtis’ Gilt Kid ii. 22 You'll..turn grass and put in the bleeding squeak against me.
1955 D. Webb Deadline for Crime i. 14 Then the squeak goes in. A bent buyer grasses to the law.
1973 A. Hunter Gently French iv. 33 I can see another villain putting a squeak in but knocking off Freddy would be just stupid.
5. attributive as adj. Squeaky.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > [adjective] > thin and shrill > squeak
squeaking1576
squeak1818
squeakyish1832
squeaky1862
1818 T. Moore Mem. (1853) II. 167 The Duke said, in his high, squeak tone of voice [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
squeakv.
/skwiːk/, U.S. /skwik/ 1. intransitive. To emit a short or slight sound of a thin high-pitched character:
a. Of persons.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (intransitive)] > squeak
pipec1275
squeak1387
peep1534
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > sound shrill [verb (intransitive)] > squeak
squeak1387
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 117 It byfel..þat a duke..passynge þerby herde þe childe squeke.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. i. 106 + 9 The sheeted dead Did squeake and gibber in the Roman streets.
a1661 W. Brereton Trav. (1844) 6 Others..sung, screaming, and squeaking, and straining their voices.
1675 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Odysses xviii. 219 Ulysses Irus struck just under th'ear... He fell, squeakt, shed his teeth.
1733 A. Pope Impertinent 9 He lifts his Hands and Eyes, Squeaks like a high-stretch'd Lutestring, and replies.
1831 E. J. Trelawny Adventures Younger Son I. xxx. 240 He never squeaked, or made a wry face.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 28 Aug. 3/1 There are also English girls who croak and squeak and chirp.
b. Of animals or birds.
ΚΠ
1547 J. Harrison Exhort. Scottes e viij His aucthor is bewraied, as a Ratte is by squekyng.
1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas in Wks. (1910) II. 147 Since every janglyng byrd, Which squeaketh loude, shall never triumph so.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 213 Bats..sqweake and call one the other.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 5 Beside 'tis known he could speak Greek, As naturally as Pigs squeek.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Persius Satires i. Prol. 3 Pies, Crows, and Daws, Poetick Presents bring: You say they squeak; but they will swear they Sing.
1774 G. White Let. 28 Sept. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 182 Several [swifts]..squeaking as they go in a very clamorous manner.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. iv. 66 They loved better to hear the lark sing than the mouse squeak.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxiii. 226 Rats began to squeak and scuffle in the night time.
c. Of things.
ΚΠ
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida v. sig. H4 Thy voice squeakes like a dry cork shoe.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 283 As a Cart that hath a full and plentifull load, and squeaks and whines the more for that abundance.
1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol i. 323 Shrill Fiddles squeak, Hoarse Bag-pipes roar.
1798 J. Ferriar Eng. Historians 228 Till each attendant bagpipe squeak'd for fear.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Squeak, to creak, as a door, &c.
1876 ‘L. Carroll’ Hunting of Snark v. vii The sound so exactly recalled to his mind A pencil that squeaks on a slate!
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 49 In cocking the locks, one will ‘squeak’, the other will make no sound.
2. slang. To confess; to turn informer; to ‘split’ or ‘peach’. (Cf. squeal v. 3.)
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society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (intransitive)]
inform1588
peach1598
whistle1599
sing1612
whiddlec1661
squeak1690
wheedle1710
whittle1735
to blow the gab1785
snitch1801
rat1810
nose1811
sing1816
gnarl1819
split1819
stag1839
clype1843
squeal1846
blow1848
to round on1857
nark1859
pimp1865
squawk1872
ruck1884
to come or turn copper1891
copper1897
sneak1897
cough1901
stool1911
tattle-tale1918
snout1923
talk1924
fink1925
scream1925
sarbut1928
grass1929
to turn over1967
dime1970
1690 J. Dryden Don Sebastian iv. ii. 96 If he be obstinate, put a civil Question to him upon the Rack, and he squeaks I warrant him.
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. iii. 218 In continual Expectation that..some pusillanimous Wretch..would squeak, as they called it, and own the Guilt.
1757 S. Foote Author i. 10 Don't be afraid; I'll keep Council;..when I was in the treasonable Way, I never squeak'd.
1805 European Mag. 47 122 Unless he had been allowed to squeak, i.e. turn evidence, it had been impossible to take his deposition.
1816 Sporting Mag. 48 30 Greenaway..confessed to him..that if any one squeaked he should be hanged.
1834 W. H. Ainsworth Rookwood II. iii. v. 339 Never blow the gab, or squeak.
1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 307 Squeak on a person, to inform against, to peach.
3. † c. to squeak beef: (see quot. 1699). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To utter, sing, or play in a squeaking manner or with a squeaky voice. Usually derisively. Frequently with out.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform (music) [verb (transitive)] > specific style or technique
squeak1577
tinkle1582
divide1590
shake1611
slur1746
da capo1764
rattlea1766
to run over ——1789
skirl1818
spread?1822
develop1838
arpeggio1864
propose1864
recapitulate1873
jazz1915
lilt1916
jazzify1927
thump1929
schmaltz1936
belt1947
stroke1969
funkify1973
scratch1984
scratch-mix1985
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. x. sig. Q/1 For laughter is blameworthie if it bee..childishly squeaked.
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. I4 The light vnconstaunt Multitude, that will..prefer a blinde harper that can squeake out a new horne-pipe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iii. 86 Ye squeak out your Coziers Catches without any mitigation or remorse of voice. View more context for this quotation
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Sss2/1 To squeak out a Sermon.
1700 W. Congreve Way of World v. i. 76 Profane Musick-meetings, where the Leud Trebles squeek nothing but Bawdy, and the Bases roar Blasphemy.
1778 F. Burney Evelina I. xxi. 158 One of these outlandish gentry may..come on, and squeak out a song or two, and then pocket your money without further ceremony.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xix. 197 Fiddles..were squeaking out the tune to staggering feet.
b. With clause as object. Also with out.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. iv. 54 He squakt [1623 shriek'd] out alowd, Clarence is come. View more context for this quotation
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 175 ‘The Provost being himself a nobleman—’ squeaked the Pottingar.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxvi. 606 ‘I will not hear it, I say,’ squeaked out Jos at the top of his voice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > cry or shout (loudness) > cry or shout [verb (intransitive)] > call > to attract attention > specific
ho1377
to squeak beef1699
hallo1781
oy1816
cooee1827
hoy1836
yoohoo1948
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew They Squeek beef upon us, cry out Highway-men or Thieves after us.
4.
a. To make (way) with squeaking.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > shrill [verb (transitive)] > squeak > make way with
squeak1878
1878 H. B. Stowe Poganuc People ix. 90 The roads, through which the ox-sleds of the farmers crunched and squeaked their way.
b. To cause (something) to squeak.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > shrill [verb (transitive)] > squeak
squeak1913
1913 C. Mackenzie Sinister St. I. ii. xv. 401 Michael solemnly regarded the fair-haired boy of two who was squeaking an indiarubber horse.
1977 ‘J. Gash’ Judas Pair xv. 177 Could he see the curtain? I'd moved it without squeaking its noisy runners.
5. intransitive.
a. to squeak through: to get through by a narrow shave, to scrape through.
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the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)] > narrowly
to fail little, not much1624
to squeak through1938
squeak1961
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > succeed by a narrow margin
skin1873
to squeak through1938
1938 H. Nicolson Diary 1 Sept. (1966) 358 We may just squeak through. On the other hand, we may get into the same mess as in 1914.
1943 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Nov. 14/2 The Irish squeaked through to a 14-to-13 verdict over Iowa Pre-Flight.
1971 J. Bishop Days of Martin Luther King, Jr. iv. 329 The President..said he was not optimistic about the passage of the civil rights bill. It would require strong bipartisan support to squeak through.
1977 Time (Europe ed.) 7 Mar. 24/2 Rabin only squeaked through by sweeping the votes allotted to Israel's conservative kibbutzim.
b. With prepositions: to make one's way by a narrow shave, to scrape by, into, etc. Chiefly U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)] > narrowly
to fail little, not much1624
to squeak through1938
squeak1961
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > make a success of [verb (transitive)] > win (any contest or prize) > win by narrow margin
snare1942
squeak1961
1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) By six months of hard cramming..he squeaked by the finals. H. H. Martin.
1966 Economist 27 Aug. 810/3 His Progressive Conservatives squeaked back into power with only 39 per cent of the votes.
1968 Economist 20 Apr. 20/3 The Bill squeaked out of the Rules Committee on a single vote.
1974 Union (S. Carolina) Daily Times 24 Apr. 1/4 Texaco..squeaked by Mobil last year to become the country's second biggest oil firm.
1977 Monitor (McAllen, Texas) 26 June 1 b/5 Jimmy Connors squeaked past a valiant Stan Smith in five sets.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1660v.1387