1. To make a prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise: A pig squeals when it is hurt or wants to get away when it is grabbed.

Tim's puppy squealed when the woman stepped on its tail.
2. Slang: to become an informer or to tell legal authorities about another person who is doing unlawful things: Pete accused his close friend of squealing on him when she testified in court about his criminal activities.
3. Etymology: from Old Norse skvala, "to cry out."

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