Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
SHRILLY
shrilly, piercingly
(adverb) in a shrill voice; “she sang rather shrilly”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Adverb
shrilly (comparative more shrilly, superlative most shrilly)
In a shrill manner.
Etymology 2
Adjective
shrilly (comparative more shrilly, superlative most shrilly)
Somewhat shrill.
Source: Wiktionary
Shril"ly, adv.
Definition: In a shrill manner; acutely; with a sharp sound or voice.
Shril"ly, a.
Definition: Somewhat shrill. [Poetic] Sir W. Scott. Some kept up a shrilly mellow sound. Keats.
SHRILL
Shrill, a. [Compar. Shriller; superl. Shrillest.] Etym: [OE. shril, schril; akin to LG. schrell, G. schrill. See Shrill,v. i.]
Definition: Acute; sharp; piercing; having or emitting a sharp, piercing tone or sound; -- said a sound, or of that which produces a sound. Hear the shrill whistle which doth order give To sounds confused. Shak. Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high. Byron.
Shrill, n.
Definition: A shrill sound. [Obs.] Spenser.
Shrill, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shrilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrilling.] Etym: [OE. schrillen, akin to G. schrillen; cf. AS. scralletan to resound loudly, Icel. skrölta to jolt, Sw. skrälla to shrill, Norw. skryla, skr. Cf. Skirl.]
Definition: To utter an acute, piercing sound; to sound with a sharp, shrill tone; to become shrill. Break we our pipes, that shrilledloud as lark. Spenser. No sounds were heard but of the shrilling cock. Goldsmith. His voice shrilled with passion. L. Wallace.
Shrill, v. t.
Definition: To utter or express in a shrill tone; to cause to make a shrill sound. How poor Andromache shrills her dolors forth. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
18 June 2025
SOUARI
(noun) large South American evergreen tree trifoliate leaves and drupes with nutlike seeds used as food and a source of cooking oil
Coffee Trivia
