[f. SQUEAK v.] The action of emitting or producing a squeak or squeaks.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. v. 30 (Q.1). When you heare the drumme, And the vile squeaking of the wry-neckt Fife.
1653. H. More, Antid. Ath., III. xiv. (1712), 130. The squeaking and roaring of tortured Beasts.
c. 1680. in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 321. There was fine squeeking and squeeling for a minute or two.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch (1851), I. 336/2. The squeaking of a rat … [was] heard.
1786. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, 25 Dec. Now for the fiddlers!… I … hear over and over again all that fine squeaking, and then fall fast asleep.
1820. Hazlitt, Table-T., xxviii. There is a mighty bustle at the door, a gibbering and squeaking in the lobbies.
1855. Poultry Chron., III. 536. It will save an incredible amount of squeaking, harsh grating, dismal creaking.
