chirp

Etymology

From late Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge (“chirping”), of imitative origin. Compare Middle English chirken and chirmen. More at chirk, chirm. Compare also Middle English chirten (“to smack, chirrup”).

noun

1. A short, sharp or high note or noise, as of a bird or insect.
2. (radar, sonar, radio telescopy etc.) A pulse of signal whose frequency sweeps through a band of frequencies for the duration of the pulse.

verb

1. (intransitive) To make a short, sharp, cheerful note, as of small birds or crickets.
   "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. (intransitive) To speak in a high-pitched staccato.
3. (transitive, radar, sonar, radio telescopy etc.) To modify (a pulse of signal) so that it sweeps through a band of frequencies throughout its duration.
4. (transitive, obsolete) To cheer up; to make (someone) happier.
5. (Canada) To speak rapid insulting comical banter back and forth.