SQUEAL

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does squeal mean? 

• SQUEAL (noun)
  The noun SQUEAL has 1 sense:

1. a high-pitched howl

  Familiarity information: SQUEAL used as a noun is very rare.

• SQUEAL (verb)
  The verb SQUEAL has 2 senses:

1. utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs

2. confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

  Familiarity information: SQUEAL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SQUEAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A high-pitched howl

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("squeal" is a kind of...):

howl (a loud sustained noise resembling the cry of a hound)

Derivation:

squeal (utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs)

• SQUEAL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they squeal    ... he / she / it squeals   
Past simple: squealed   
Past participle: squealed   
-ing form: squealing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

oink; squeal

Hypernyms (to "squeal" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence examples:

You can hear animals squeal in the meadows
The meadows squeal with animals

Derivation:

squeal (a high-pitched howl)

squealer (domestic swine)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

confess; fink; squeal

Hypernyms (to "squeal" is one way to...):

acknowledge; admit (declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

squealer (one who reveals confidential information in return for money)

 Context examples 

"It got half of it," he announced; "but I got a whack at it jes' the same. D'ye hear it squeal?"

(White Fang, by Jack London)

By heaven! said he, if you squeal on us, Bob Carruthers, I’ll serve you as you served Jack Woodley.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And I remember that the sounds they made reminded me of the squealing of pigs under the knife of the butcher, and I was struck with horror at the vividness of the analogy.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Yes, the coolies used to do some squealing towards the end.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Laurie screwed up his face and obeyed with a gingerly peck at each little cheek that produced another laugh, and made the babies squeal.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And after a while the bear grew weak and tired, for he was very heavy and he had jumped about with exceeding violence, and he went off along the shore- ice, shaking his head slowly from side to side and sitting down ever and again to squeal and cry.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The porcupine met his approach with a furious squealing and a clashing of its long teeth.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I stuck it in, like into soft butter, an’ the w’y ’e squealed was better’n a tu-penny gaff.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"For he did claw at himself, and leap about over the ice like a playful puppy, save from the way he growled and squealed it was plain it was not play but pain. Never did I see such a sight!"

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He lay down and waited, while the porcupine grated its teeth and uttered grunts and sobs and occasional sharp little squeals.

(White Fang, by Jack London)