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squeak

(skwēk)

v. squeaked, squeak·ing, squeaks

v.intr.

1. To give forth a short, shrill cry or sound.

2. Slang To turn informer.

v.tr.

To utter in a thin, shrill voice.

1. A short shrill cry or sound, such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge.

2. An escape: a close squeak.

Phrasal Verb:

squeak through (or by)

To manage barely to pass, win, or survive: squeaked through the test; squeaks by on a limited income.

[Middle English squeken, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skvakka, to croak.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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