Category:Screech

Screech, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screeched; p. pr. & vb. n. Screeching.] Etym: [also formerly, scritch, oe. skriken, skrichen, schriken, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. skrækja to shriek, to screech, skrija to Titter, sw. skrika to shriek, dan. skrige; also gael. sgreach, Sgreuch, w. ysgrechio, skr. kharj to creak. Cf. Shriek, v., Scream, V.]

Defn: to utter a harsh, shrill cry; to make a sharp outcry, as in Terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek. "the screech owl, Screeching loud." Shak.

Screech Screech, n.

Defn: a harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a Shriek; a scream. Screech bird, or screech thrush (zoöl.), the Fieldfare; -- so called from its harsh cry before rain. -- screech rain. -- screech hawk (zoöl.), the european goatsucker; -- so called from Its note. [prov. Eng.] -- screech owl. (zoöl.) (a) a small american Owl (scops asio), either gray or reddish in color. (b) the european Barn owl. The name is applied also to other species.