squeal

Meanings

Noun

• A high-pitched sound, such as the scream of a child or a female person, or noisy worn-down brake pads.
• The cry of a pig.

Verb

• To scream with a shrill, prolonged sound.
• To give sensitive information about someone to a third party; to rat on someone.

Origin

• 18th c. (noun), Middle English (verb); of imitative origin.