skirl — [ skɜrl ] verb intransitive SCOTTISH to make a high sound ╾ skirl noun singular: the skirl of bagpipes … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Skirl — Skirl, v. t. & i. [Of Scand. origin, and originally the same word as E. shrill.] To utter in a shrill tone; to scream. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Skirl — Skirl, n. A shrill cry or sound. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
skirl — c.1400, to make a shrill sound, from a Scandinavian source (Cf. Norw. skyrla, skrella to shriek ), of imitative origin. In reference to bagpipes, it is attested by 1660s and now rarely used otherwise … Etymology dictionary
skirl — ► NOUN ▪ a shrill sound, especially that of bagpipes. ► VERB ▪ (of bagpipes) make such a sound. ORIGIN probably Scandinavian … English terms dictionary
skirl — [skʉrl] vt., vi. [ME (northern) skrille, skyrle, prob. < Scand, as in Norw dial. skrylla, to scream: for IE base see SHRILL] Scot. to sound out in shrill, piercing tones, as a bagpipe does n. a shrill sound, as of a bagpipe … English World dictionary
skirl — UK [skɜː(r)l] / US [skɜrl] verb [intransitive] Word forms skirl : present tense I/you/we/they skirl he/she/it skirls present participle skirling past tense skirled past participle skirled Scottish to make a high sound Derived word: skirl UK / US… … English dictionary
skirl — verb /skɜːl/ 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 … Wiktionary
skirl — verb (I) to make a high sharp sound: A seagull skirled overhead. skirl noun (singular) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
skirl — n. & v. n. the shrill sound characteristic of bagpipes. v.intr. make a skirl. Etymology: prob. Scand.: ult. imit … Useful english dictionary