creak

== English == === Alternative forms === crik (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English creken, criken, metathesis of Old English cearcian (“to chatter, creak, crash, gnash”), from Proto-West Germanic *krakōn (“to crash, crack, creak”), from Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂- (“to make a sound, cry hoarsely”), ultimately of imitative origin. Compare also Old English crǣccettan, crācettan (“to croak”), Albanian grykë (“throat”). More at crack. === Pronunciation === enPR: krēk, IPA(key): /kɹiːk/ Homophone: creek Rhymes: -iːk === Noun === creak (plural creaks) The sound produced by anything that creaks; a creaking. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === creak (third-person singular simple present creaks, present participle creaking, simple past and past participle creaked) (intransitive) To make a prolonged sharp grating or squeaking sound, as by the friction of hard substances. Synonym: moan 1856, Eleanor Marx-Aveling (translator), Gustave Flaubert (author), Madame Bovary, Part III, Chapter 10: Then when the four ropes were arranged the coffin was placed upon them. He watched it descend; it seemed descending for ever. At last a thud was heard; the ropes creaked as they were drawn up. (transitive) To produce a creaking sound with. (intransitive, figurative) To suffer from strain or old age. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === === Anagrams === Acker, Crake, Kacer, acker, crake