chirp
verbEtymology From Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge (“chirping”). Compare Middle English chirken and chirmen. More at chirk, chirm. Compare also Middle English chirten (“to smack, chirrup”). Compare German zirpen and Dutch tjirpen.
1
To make a short, sharp, cheerful note, as of small birds or crickets; to chitter; to twitter.
- "Well, I suppose you didn't come out of the egg either before you could chirp," said the woman who was on the egg.1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 95:
2
To speak in a high-pitched staccato.
3
To modify (a pulse of signal) so that it sweeps through a band of frequencies throughout its duration.
Radar; sonar; radio telescopy etc.; radar; sonar; radio telescopy etc.
4
Obsolete To cheer up; to make (someone) happier.
5
Canada To speak rapid insulting comical banter back and forth; to bicker or argue.
- Derived terms
- chirper, chirping, chirping chips, chirping cup, chirpingly, spotted chirping frog, unchirped