Screechingly: meaning, definitions and examples
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screechingly
[ ˈskriːtʃɪŋli ]
manner of sound
Screechingly is an adverb that describes an action performed in a manner that produces a loud, high-pitched noise, often associated with a scream or a shrill sound. This word is typically used to indicate the intensity or severity of the sound being produced.
Synonyms
ear-piercingly, piercingly, shrilly
Examples of usage
- The tires screechingly halted when the driver slammed the brakes.
- She sang screechingly during the karaoke night, much to everyone's surprise.
- The child yelled screechingly in delight at the amusement park.
Word origin
The word 'screechingly' is derived from the root word 'screech', which itself comes from the Old English term 'screcan', meaning 'to cry out' or 'to scream'. This term has its roots in the Proto-Germanic *skrakōna, which also refers to crying or making a piercing sound. Over time, the adjective 'screech' evolved to describe a loud, harsh cry associated with various animals, primarily birds like owls. The addition of 'ingly' transforms it into an adverb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. This evolution reflects the descriptive nature of language as it adapts to convey nuanced meanings, especially regarding sounds and their effects on human perception.