Shriek (?), v. 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.
Shak.
At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful
train
Echoed her grief.
Dryden.Shriek (?), v. 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, n. 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. (Zoöl.)
(a) The screech owl. (b)
The swift; -- so called from its cry.