n. A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]
Shrieks, clamors, murmurs, fill the frighted town. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Shriek owl. (Zool.)
v. t. To utter sharply and shrilly; to utter in or with a shriek or shrieks. [ 1913 Webster ]
On top whereof aye dwelt the ghostly owl,
Shrieking his baleful note. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
She shrieked his name
To the dark woods. Moore. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
It was the owl that shrieked. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train
Echoed her grief. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who utters a shriek. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Of or pertaining to a sheriff. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Contr. from sheriffalty. See Shrieve, n. Sheriff. ] The office, or sphere of jurisdiction, of a sheriff; sheriffalty. [ 1913 Webster ]
It was ordained by 28 Edward I that the people shall have election of sheriff in every shire where the shrievalty is not of inheritance. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Contr. from OE. shereve. See Sheriff. ] A sheriff. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To shrive; to question. [ Obs. ] “She gan him soft to shrieve.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scrīfan to shrive. See Shrive. ]
In shrift and preaching is my diligence. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Therefore, my lord, address you to your shrift,
And be yourself; for you must die this instant. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]
Shrift father,
n. [ See Shriek. ] A shriek; shrieking. [ Obs ] Spenser. “All hoarse for shright.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]