trill

 
Pronunciation: /trɪl/

noun

  • a quavering or vibratory sound, especially a rapid alternation of sung or played notes: the caged bird launched into a piercing trill
  • the pronunciation of a consonant, especially r, with rapid vibration of the tongue against the hard or soft palate or the uvula.

verb

[no object]
  • produce a quavering or warbling sound: a skylark was trilling overhead [with direct speech]: ‘Coming sir,’ they both trilled [with object]: trilling a love ballad, she led him to her chair
  • [with object] pronounce (a consonant) by rapid vibration of the tongue against the hard or soft palate or the uvula.

Origin:

mid 17th century: from Italian trillo (noun), trillare (verb)