squeal

[skweel] /skwil/
noun
1.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
2.
Slang.
  1. an instance of informing against someone.
  2. a protest or complaint; beef.
verb (used without object)
3.
to utter or emit a squeal or squealing sound.
4.
Slang.
  1. to turn informer; inform.
  2. to protest or complain; beef.
verb (used with object)
5.
to utter or produce with a squeal.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English squelen; imitative
Related forms
squealer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for squealer

squeal

/skwiːl/
noun
1.
a high shrill yelp, as of pain
2.
a screaming sound, as of tyres when a car brakes suddenly
verb
3.
to utter a squeal or with a squeal
4.
(intransitive) (slang) to confess information about another
5.
(intransitive) (informal, mainly Brit) to complain or protest loudly
Derived Forms
squealer, noun
Word Origin
C13 squelen, of imitative origin
Word Origin and History for squealer

squeal

v.

c.1300, probably of imitative origin, similar to Old Norse skvala "to cry out" (see squall (v.)). The sense of "inform on another" is first recorded 1865. The noun is attested from 1747.

Slang definitions & phrases for squealer

squealer

noun

An informer; rat, snitch, squeal (1865+)


squeal

noun
  1. (also squeel) An informer; rat, snitch, stool pigeon: He was working on a case with a squeal, and he knifed him (1750+)
  2. (also squeak) A complaint to the police: cop at stationhouse took the squeal/ The young cops who had caught the squeal didn't know what to do (1908+)
verb

To inform; rat, sing, squawk (1825+)