from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shrill \Shrill\, a. [Compar. {Shriller}; superl. {Shrillest}.]
[OE. shril, schril; akin to LG. schrell, G. schrill. See
{Shrill},v. i.]
Acute; sharp; piercing; having or emitting a sharp, piercing
tone or sound; -- said of a sound, or of that which produces
a sound.
[1913 Webster]
Hear the shrill whistle which doth order give
To sounds confused. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high. --Byron.
[1913 Webster]