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. [ imp. & p. p. Shrieked p. pr. & vb. n. Shrieking. ] [ OE. shriken, originallythe same word as E. screech. See Screech, and cf. Screak. ] To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or anguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was the owl that shrieked. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train
Echoed her grief. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.) (a) The screech owl. (b) The swift; -- so called from its cry. [ 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 ]

v. t. To shrive; to question. [ Obs. ] “She gan him soft to shrieve.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Contr. from OE. shereve. See Sheriff. ] A sheriff. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scrīfan to shrive. See Shrive. ] 1. The act of shriving. [ 1913 Webster ]

In shrift and preaching is my diligence. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Confession made to a priest, and the absolution consequent upon it. 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, a priest to whom confession is made. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Shriek. ] A shriek; shrieking. [ Obs ] Spenser. “All hoarse for shright.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]