screech

[ skreech ]
/ skritʃ /

verb (used without object)

to utter or make a harsh, shrill cry or sound: The child screeched hysterically. The brakes screeched.

verb (used with object)

to utter with a screech: She screeched her warning.

noun

a harsh, shrill cry or sound: an owl's screech; the screech of brakes.

Origin of screech

1550–60; variant of obsolete scritch to scream; akin to screak

OTHER WORDS FROM screech

screech·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for screech

British Dictionary definitions for screech (1 of 2)

screech 1
/ (skriːtʃ) /

noun

a shrill, harsh, or high-pitched sound or cry

verb

to utter with or produce a screech

Derived forms of screech

screecher, noun

Word Origin for screech

C16: variant of earlier scritch, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for screech (2 of 2)

screech 2
/ (skriːtʃ) /

noun Canadian

(esp in Newfoundland) a dark rum

Word Origin for screech

perhaps special use of screech 1