squawk
Pronunciation: /skwɔːk/
The English word “squawk” has 12 meanings listed here.
noun
- A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird. If made by a bird, it typically signals discomfort or anger; a yell, scream, or call.
- A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals.
- A complaint or objection.
- An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance.
- The American night heron.
- A warning message indicating a possible error.
verb
- To make a squawking noise; to yell, scream, or call out shrilly.
- To speak out; to protest.
- To report an infraction; to rat on or tattle; to disclose a secret.
- To produce a warning message, indicating a possible error.
- To set or transmit a four-digit transponder code. (Normally followed by the specific code in question.)
- To back out in a mean way.
Etymology
First attested in 1821. Unknown, but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco (“small-crested heron”) and English quack).
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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.