squealer
squealer
UK[ˈskwiːlə(r)]US[ˈskwiːlər]
n
a person who informs on someone to the authorities.
n
an animal that makes a high-pitched cry, such as a young pig.
Morpheme Breakdown
squeal
er
squeal
to make a high-pitched sound
er
agent suffix
Etymology
the word 'squealer' is a transparent english formation built upon the much older verb 'squeal'. the verb 'squeal' itself is an onomatopoeic creation from middle english, imitating a sharp, high-pitched cry, often associated with pigs. the agent suffix '-er', with deep germanic roots, was later appended to this verb. this combination logically produced a noun meaning 'one who squeals', which evolved in two directions: literally for an animal that makes such a sound, and figuratively for a person who 'cries out' or informs, betraying others.
Analysis
Structure: squeal (to make a high-pitched sound) + er (agent suffix)
squeal (from middle english squelen, of imitative origin, functioning as the verb root). er (from old english -ere, a germanic agent-noun suffix, indicating a person or thing that performs an action).
Examples
the gangster threatened the squealer who had talked to the police.
the farmer could hear the squealers in the pen demanding their feed.
in the movie, the character turned squealer to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.