Also 8 squeek. [f. the vb.]
1. The act of squeaking. † To put to the squeak, to cause to squeak.
1664. Etheredge, Comical Revenge, IV. iii. (The women shriek within.) Hark! he puts them to the squeak.
a. 1700. Songs Lond. Prentices (Mackay), 92. They took my py-ball’d mare And put the carrion wench to th’ squeak.
2. A short or slight sound, of a thin high-pitched character, made by animals or persons.
1700. Dryden, Fables, Cock & Fox, 732. With many a deadly Grunt and doleful Squeak, Poor Swine, as if their pretty Hearts would break.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 157, ¶ 7. With a great many skittish notes, affected squeaks, and studied inconsistencies.
1775. Mme. D’Arblay, Early Diary, 14 Dec. We asked if he had been to the Opera? He immediately began a squeak, by way of imitation.
1827. Scott, Jrnl., 17 April. Our party was enlivened by the squeaks of the wenches.
1866. R. M. Ballantyne, Shifting Winds, xxx. (1881), 342. The squeak of the pig caused the rest of the family to turn and fly from the fatal spot.
fig. 1847. L. Hunt, Men, Women, & B., II. x. 252. There is something in the … frivolous and fragile celibacy of his life, which … gives a peculiarly revolting character to the perpetual squeak of his censoriousness.
b. A thin, sharp sound produced by a musical instrument, etc.
1805. H. K. White, Lett. (1837), 276. The vile squeak of the Italian fiddle.
1832. Brewster, Nat. Magic, ix. 229. Vibrations of such frequency afford only a shrill squeak or chirp.
1883. J. Gilmour, Mongols, xxvi. 309. Shrill above the boom of the temple drums … would come the squeak of the thlimba.
3. a. A slight, narrow or bare chance for something.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., II. 303. If we have success, you shall…, perchance, have a squeek for the renewing a great part, at least, of your old Hereditary Lease.
1737. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 104. To caution my Readers, that they do not too hastily condemn what I advance, but to give me a Squeak for my Life (as the Saying is).
1806. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life, XVI. Introd. I will give you—though I’m a fool for my pains—however I will give you one squeak more for your inheritance.
1868. Chambers’s Jrnl., Oct., 675/2. See all ready with the boat,… it may give us a squeak for our lives, if a little one.
b. A narrow escape, a close shave. Usually with qualifying adjs. narrow, near, tight. Also const. for (one’s life, etc.).
1822. Scott, Fam. Lett. (1894), II. xviii. 149. I became extremely feverish myself, and had the disorder not terminated in a general rash … I should have had a squeak for it.
1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, xii. I have had more than one narrow squeak for it.
a. 1860. Alb. Smith, Med. Student (1861), 98. I had a tight squeak for it.
1867. Trollope, Chron. Barset, II. 339. ‘It was a very narrow squeak,’ Mr. Crawley said when his friend congratulated him on his escape.
1889. Stevenson, Lett. (1899), II. 136. We had a near squeak, the wind suddenly coming calm.
† 4. Cant. (See quot.) Obs.
1795. Potter, Dict. Cant (ed. 2), Squeak, a thief, who when taken up confesses and impeaches the rest of his companions.
5. attrib. as adj. Squeaky.
1818. Moore, Mem. (1853), II. 167. The Duke said, in his high, squeak tone of voice [etc.].
