[f. CREAK v.]
1. A strident noise, as of an ungreased hinge, new boots, etc.; a harsh squeak.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. Lawe, 1336. A wagging leaf, a puff, a crack, Yea, the least creak, shall make thee turn thy back.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, iii. 46. Roused by a creak and screech of the latticed window.
1851. Thackeray, Eng. Hum. (1876), 147. If he wears buckles and square-toed shoes … you never hear their creak.
1878. Masque Poets, 53. The labouring vessel, with creak and strain, Struggled and groaned like a thing in pain.
b. The noise made by a cricket. rare.
1842. Thoreau, Excursions (1863), 40. Cheery as the creak of crickets.
† 2. A watchman’s rattle. Obs.
1836. Ann. Reg., 46. He heard Dillon springing his creak.
Creak, var. CRICK sb.1; obs. f. CREEK.
