crick-crack1
/ˈkrɪkˌkrak/(also cric-crac)
noun
A repeated sharp cracking sound.
exclamation
Representing a repeated sharp cracking sound.
adverb
With a sharp, cracking sound.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Maydes Metamorphosis. Apparently a reduplication (with vowel variation) of crack, perhaps with imitative motivation, the higher vowel being intended to convey a sharper cracking sound; compare crick, and also crickle-crackle, crickling, crickle.
crick-crack2
/ˈkrɪkˌkrak/Now rare
verb
[no object] To emit a repeated sharp cracking sound.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in American Whig Review. From crick-crack. Compare Dutch krikkrakken.
- church robber
- church-robbing
- church school
- church scot
- church service
- churchset
- church ship
- churchship
- church shot
- Church Slavonic
- church social
- church society
- Church-State
- church steward
- Church's theorem
- Church's thesis
- church stile
- church story
- church stuff
- church supper
- church text
- church town
- church triumphant
- church union
- church vassal