squawk

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the noise of squawking
  2. noun informal terms for objecting
  3. verb utter a harsh abrupt scream

Etymology

First attested in 1821. Unknown, but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco (“small-crested heron”) and English quack).

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