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to skirl

to skirl

9.9
To play the bagpipes loudly in a high, wailing way
  • verb
  • /skɜrl/
translation icon : tocar la gaita
  • During the festival, the crowd cheered as the band skirled joyfully on their bagpipes.

Examples

  • And now they're skirling cacophonically at full volume, walking around.

    Blog text (10)
  • The musician began to skirl on the bagpipes as the sun set over the hills.

  • As the parade passed by, the bagpiper started to skirl loudly, filling the air with music.

Synonyms

to pipe
vsto skirl
47 7.0

To make a high thin sound like a small bird or child

is about playing bagpipes loudly rather than imitating small high sounds
to shrill
vsto skirl
3 4.8

To make a very high, sharp sound often as a cry

is specific to playing bagpipes loudly rather than any high sound

How Shrill

to shriek
72 2.9
to skirl
9.9
to wail
84 3.2
to murmur
11 4.2

Surface Forms

skirl infinitive
skirled past
skirled past participle
skirling present participle
skirls third person singular

Etymology

Skirl as a verb comes from Scots and originally imitates the 'high, wailing noise' of the pipes, so to skirl is to play the bagpipes in a loud, piercing way.