chirk
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English chirken, cherken, charken, from Old English ċearcian (“to chatter, creak, crash”), from Proto-West Germanic *krakōn, from Proto-Germanic *krakċną (“to make a sound, crack”). Doublet of chark. Related also to crake, crack.
Verb edit
chirk (third-person singular simple present chirks, present participle chirking, simple past and past participle chirked)
- (intransitive, especially as "chirk up") To become happier.
- (transitive, especially as "chirk up") To make happier.
- 1912, Zona Gale, Christmas[4]:
- But--" "Well, I think," said Mis' Jane Moran, "that we've hit on the only way we could have hit on to chirk each other up over a hard time."
- To make the sound of a bird; to chirp.
Adjective edit
chirk (comparative chirker or more chirk, superlative chirkest or most chirk)
- (colloquial, US, chiefly New England) lively; cheerful; in good spirits
Usage notes edit
Scots edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English cherkin, from Old English ċearcian, ċiercian, variant forms of Old English cracian, from Proto-West Germanic *krakōn, from Proto-Germanic *krakōną (“to crack; crackle; shriek”).
Cognate with English chirk. Doublet of chork, crak, crake, and jarg. The noun is derived from the verb.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
chirk (plural chirks)
Verb edit
chirk (third-person singular simple present chirks, present participle chirkin, simple past chirkit, past participle chirkit)
- to make a harsh, strident noise
- to creak (of a door)
- to gnash, rub together (of the teeth or gums)
- to make a squelching noise
Derived terms edit
- chirker (“house-cricket”)