different between mumble vs squawk

English

Etymology

From Middle English momelen, a frequentative of mum (sense 3) (“silent”). Compare German mümmeln, Middle Dutch mommelen and Dutch mompelen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?mb?l/
• Rhymes: -?mb?l

Verb

mumble (third-person singular simple present mumbles, present participle mumbling, simple past and past participle mumbled)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.
   • 1680, Thomas Otway, The Orphan

     A wrinkled hag, with age grown double, / Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself.

2. To chew something gently with closed lips.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:mutter

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

mumble (plural mumbles)

1. A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.

Translations

References

Anagrams

• bummle

English

Etymology

Unknown [from 1821], but probably of imitative origin (compare dialectal Italian squacco (“small-crested heron”)).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /skw??k/
• Rhymes: -??k

Noun

squawk (plural squawks)

1. A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird; a yell, scream, or call.
2. (aviation) A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals.
3. (informal) A complaint or objection.
   • 1983, Stephen King, Uncle Otto's Truck

     That was the last roundup for McCutcheon’s Cresswell; it never moved from that field again. Not that there was any squawk from the landlord; the two of them owned it, of course.

4. (aviation) An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance.
   • 1969, American Aviation (volume 32)

     We think instructors should stress the importance of writeups on all maintenance squawks after the completion of each flight. More important, something should be done by the aircraft operator to correct such squawks.

5. The American night heron.
6. (programming, informal) A warning message indicating a possible error.

Translations

Verb

squawk (third-person singular simple present squawks, present participle squawking, simple past and past participle squawked)

1. To make a squawking noise; to yell, scream, or call out shrilly.

   • The hens woke up squawking with terror because they had all dreamed simultaneously of hearing a gun go off in the distance.

2. (slang, intransitive) To speak out; to protest.
3. (slang, intransitive) To report an infraction; to rat on or tattle; to disclose a secret.
   • 1948, Andrew Geer, The Sea Chase (page 68)

     "I'll slit your throat if you squawk on us," Krantz threatened.

4. (programming, intransitive, informal) To produce a warning message, indicating a possible error.
   • 2013, Bill Sempf, Chuck Sphar, Stephen R. Davis, C# 5.0 All-in-One For Dummies

     You want the compiler to squawk if you try to instantiate for a type that doesn't implement IPrioritizable.

5. (aviation) To set or transmit a four-digit transponder code. (Normally followed by the specific code in question.)
6. (US, slang, dated) To back out in a mean way.

Conjugation

Translations