Also a more modern construction term pertaining to the leveling of concrete. Plaster isn't used much these days, but almost all concrete work is leveled whether in a form to produce an item or in concrete poured in place. In residential and light commercial work, more often than not a 2" x 4" piece of lumber, dragged with a sawing motion to remove the excess concrete. Actually the quality of the screeding directly influences the quality of the finished work especially when the slope of the grade is critical such as in driveways, sidewalks or other flatwork.

A boring long-winded, up on a soap box speech, usually about some banal topic. If used in the religious context, usually denotes some abhoringly long sermon on a self-serving topic. If used in the civillian world, it usually refers to a public denouncement, with several character attacks, and defaming innuendos.

A good example would be any press release from the Moral Majority.

Screed (?), n. [Prov. E., a shred, the border of a cap. See Shred.]

1. Arch. (a)

A strip of plaster of the thickness proposed for the coat, applied to the wall at intervals of four or five feet, as a guide.

(b)

A wooden straightedge used to lay across the plaster screed, as a limit for the thickness of the coat.

2.

A fragment; a portion; a shred.

[Scot.]

 

© Webster 1913.

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Screed, n. [See 1st Screed. For sense 2 cf. also Gael. sgread an outcry.]

1.

A breach or rent; a breaking forth into a loud, shrill sound; as, martial screeds.

2.

An harangue; a long tirade on any subject.

The old carl gae them a screed of doctrine; ye might have heard him a mile down the wind. Sir W. Scott.

 

© Webster 1913.