chirp
Contents
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge (“chipring”). Compare Middle English chirken and chirmen. More at chirk, chirm. Compare also Middle English chirten (“to smack, chirrup”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
chirp (plural chirps)
- A short, sharp or high note or noise, as of a bird or insect.
- (radar, sonar, radio telescopy etc.) A pulse of signal whose frequency sweeps through a band of frequencies for the duration of the pulse.
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
birds
|
insects
Verb[edit]
chirp (third-person singular simple present chirps, present participle chirping, simple past and past participle chirped)
- (intransitive) to make a short, sharp, cheerful note, as of small birds or crickets
- (intransitive) to speak in a high-pitched staccato
- (transitive, radar, sonar, radio telescopy etc.) To modify (a pulse of signal) so that it sweeps through a band of frequencies throughout its duration.
Translations[edit]
birds
|
insects
to speak in high pitch
|
