The word "shriek" is correctly spelled with the combination of the letter "sh" followed by "riek". The IPA phonetic transcription for "shriek" is /ʃriːk/. The sound /ʃ/ represents the "sh" sound in English, which is made by pushing air through the narrow space between the tongue and the roof of the mouth. The sound /riːk/ corresponds to the vowel sound "ee" followed by the consonant "k". Therefore, the correct spelling of "shriek" accurately reflects its pronunciation in English.
Shriek, noun, refers to a loud, high-pitched, and piercing cry or sound that is typically shrill and sudden in nature. It is characterized by its intense volume, often expressing fear, surprise, pain, or excitement. The shriek can be described as a sharply penetrating and discordant sound that can startle or unsettle those who hear it. In terms of emotional context, a shriek generally demonstrates a considerable degree of distress, alarm, or exhilaration.
As a verb, shriek refers to the act of producing this loud, high-pitched cry or sound. It signifies the emission of a shrill and piercing noise, often involuntarily due to a sudden or strong reaction, such as extreme fear, pain, or excitement. Shrieking may also serve as a means of communication, conveying distress, warning, or alertness to others.
The term "shriek" can be associated with various sources, such as humans, animals, or objects. It is commonly linked with scenes of horror, suspense, or panic, as well as moments of surprise, joy, or well-founded alarm. Shrieks are typically characterized by their audible intensity, suddenness, and their ability to evoke strong emotional responses in those who hear them.
• To utter a sharp shrill cry; to scream, as in sudden fright, or in anguish.
• A shrill piercing cry, as of sudden terror or anguish.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shriek" originated from Middle English "skrēke", which can be traced back to Old Norse "skrækja" meaning "to cry or shriek out loud". The Old Norse term ultimately derived from Proto-Germanic "skraikōną". The word "shriek" has been used to refer to a loud, high-pitched sound or scream since its earliest recorded usage in the 13th century.