skirl

English

Etymology

Originally Scots and Northern English dialects, probably of Old Norse origin; ultimately imitative.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /skɜːl/

  Rhymes: -ɜː(r)l

Verb

skirl (third-person singular simple present skirls, present participle skirling, simple past and past participle skirled)

1. (Scotland, Northern England) To make a shrill sound, as of bagpipes.

   • 1985: Drums began to thump in a variety of rhythms. The flautists were not sure what to play. The shawm began to skirl. — Anthony Burgess, Kingdom of the Wicked

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Scots

Verb

tae skirl (third-person singular simple present skirls, present participle skirlin, simple past skirlt, past participle skirlt)

1. to make a shrill sound, as of bagpipes
2. to scream
3. to shriek
4. to laugh shrilly

Noun

skirl (plural skirls)

1. shrill, piercing noise
2. scream, screech