squealer
(ˈskwiːlə(r))
[f. squeal v.]
1. In bird-names: (see quots.).
| 1854 J. W. Warter Last of O. Squires vii. 66 In the summer nothing broke the silence that reigned around, save the voice of the squealers—the country-name for swifts. 1879 G. F. Jackson Shropsh. Word-bk. 223 The Swift... This bird's loud piercing cry has obtained for it the name of squealer. 1888 G. Trumbull Names Birds 91 Harlequin Duck,..known also as Squealer at Machias Port, Me. Ibid. 196 Golden Plover... Mr. Browne records Squealer in his list of gunners' names at Plymouth Bay. |
2. One who or that which squeals. Also transf.
| 1865 Slang Dict. 244 Squealer,..an illegitimate baby. 1897 Daily News 25 May 2/4 In one village a venerable squealer [a pig] was driven past a whole line of soldiers by a dog. |
b. slang. An informer.
| 1865 in Slang Dict. 244. 1901 Daily Chron. 17 Sept. 7/2 It will not reap many ‘squealers’, because the men who might tell things to cause damage will not dare. |
c. A complainer.
| 1889 Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, In nine cases out of ten, the editor gives the squealer more privileges in the way of reply than he is entitled to by equity. |