Screech (?), v. 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, skr&imac;ja to titter, Sw. skrika to shriek, Dan. skrige; also Gael. sgreach, sgreuch, W. ysgrechio, Skr. kharj to creak. Cf. Shriek, v., Scream, v.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
Screech, n.
A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream.
Screech bird, ∨ 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 1913.