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Webster 1913 Edition
Screech
Screech
(skrēch)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Screeched
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Screeching
.] [Also formerly, , ]
scritch
, OE. skriken
, skrichen
, schriken
, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. skrækja
to shriek, to screech, skrīkja
to titter, Sw. skrika
to shriek, Dan. skrige
; also Gael. sgreach
, sgreuch
, W. ysgrechio
, Skr. kharj
to creak. Cf. Shriek
, Verb.
Scream
, Verb.
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
,Noun.
A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream.
Screech bird
, or
Screech thrush
(Zool.)
, the fieldfare; – so called from its harsh cry before rain.
– Screech rain
.Screech hawk
(Zool.)
, the European goatsucker; – so called from its note.
[Prov. Eng.]
– Screech owl
. (Zool.)
(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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Screech
SCREECH
,Verb.
I.
1.
To cry out with a sharp shrill voice; to utter a sudden shrill cry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek.2.
To utter a sharp cry, as an owl; thence called screech-owl.SCREECH
,Noun.
1.
A sharp shrill cry uttered in acute pain, or in a sudden fright.2.
A harsh shrill cry, as of a fowl.