Shrilness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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shrilness
[ˈʃrɪlnəs ]
Definition
sound quality
Shrillness refers to the quality of being shrill, characterized by a high-pitched and piercing sound. It is often associated with sounds that are unpleasant to hear, such as a loud scream or a sharp whistle. This quality can also describe voices that are overly high-pitched, making them difficult to tolerate.
Synonyms
cacophonous, high-pitched, piercing, screeching.
Examples of usage
- The shrillness of the alarm woke everyone in the building.
- Her voice had a shrillness that grated on my nerves.
- The bird's shrillness could be heard from miles away.
Translations
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Origin of 'shrilness'
The word 'shrillness' is derived from the Old English 'scryllan,' meaning to cry out or to scream. Its roots can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word 'skrilwaz,' which conveyed a sense of high-pitched and piercing sound. Over centuries, the term evolved, and its usage expanded to encompass various contexts, particularly relating to sounds that are considered irritating or grating. The suffix '-ness' is commonly used in English to turn adjectives into nouns, indicating a quality or state. Thus, shrillness denotes the state of being shrill, emphasizing the unpleasant or jarring nature of such sounds. This evolution reflects changes in language that often occur as society's perceptions and experiences with sound have evolved. Today, 'shrillness' is frequently employed in both literature and everyday conversation to describe anything from the sound of a siren to the voice of an excited child.