screak

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make a harsh, high-pitched creaking or screeching sound

   The long steering oar began to screak as the raft turned in the current.

2. 2
   noun

   a harsh shrill sound; a screech or loud creak

   A sudden screak from the unoiled hinge broke the silence.

Probably of Scandinavian origin and related to Old Norse skrakja, 'to screech.' Like screech, creak, and shriek, screak is an expressive sound word whose consonants imitate a harsh, strained noise.

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