Middle English Dictionary Entry
shrillen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | shrillen v. Also shrelle, shirlen. |
| Etymology | From shrille adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. shillen v.(1), skrillen v.
1.
(a) Of a sound: to resound piercingly; ppl. shrilling as adj.: loud and piercing; (b) to scream, shriek.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)776 : Bulcifal nayȝeþ so loude Þat it shrilleþ in to þe cloude.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)170/31 : Now, kene knyghtys..Shapyht amonge schel chownys ashyrlyng shray.
b
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)756 : Þe mayde, al for drede, Bygan to shrelle [vr. schrichen] and to grede.
- ?a1425 Awntyrs Arth.(Lamb 491)619 : Shrillis [Dc: skrilles; Thrn: Than his lemane so lowde skremes and skrykis].