chirp

Meanings

Noun

• A short, sharp or high note or noise, as of a bird or insect.
• A pulse of signal whose frequency sweeps through a band of frequencies for the duration of the pulse.

Verb

• To make a short, sharp, cheerful note, as of small birds or crickets.
• To speak in a high-pitched staccato.
• To modify (a pulse of signal) so that it sweeps through a band of frequencies throughout its duration.
• To cheer up; to make (someone) happier.
• To speak rapid insulting comical banter back and forth.

Origin

• From Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge. Compare Middle English chirken and chirmen. More at chirk, chirm. Compare also Middle English chirten.