† shriek-owl Obs.
Also 6 schrick-, 7 scrick-, 7 shreike-.
[f. shriek v. + owl n. Cf. screech-owl, shritch-owl.]
The screech-owl.
| 1567 [see shriek v. 1 b]. 1591 Spenser Teares Muses 283 Fowle Goblins and Shriekowles, With fearfull howling do all places fill. 1616 T. Scot Philomythie ii. B 4 b, The Rauen and Shreikeowle there did build their neasts. 1623 J. Wodroephe Marrow Fr. Tongue 399/2 Wee are with Men our Brothers, and not with Stockes, Wood, Wolues and Scrick-Ooles. a 1764 Lloyd Progr. Envy Poet. Wks. 1774 I. 145 Shriek-owls and ravens, whose fell croaking bodes Approaching death to miserable wight. 1913 Sir R. Ross in Engl. Rev. Sept. 168 No sound; Save haply the shriek-owl cryes. |
| attrib. 1748 Richardson Clarissa VI. 383 Thou liftest up thy shriek-owl note. |