scre

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Screaked p. pr. & vb. n. Screaking. ] [ Cf. Icel. skraekja to screech. Cf. Creak, v., Screech. ] To utter suddenly a sharp, shrill sound; to screech; to creak, as a door or wheel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A creaking; a screech; a shriek. Bp. Bull. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sharp, shrill cry, uttered suddenly, as in terror or in pain; a shriek; a screech. “Screams of horror.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Screamed p. pr. & vb. n. Screaming. ] [ Icel. skraema to scare, terrify; akin to Sw. skräma, Dan. skraemme. Cf. Screech. ] To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech. [ 1913 Webster ]

I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

And scream thyself as none e'er screamed before. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Any one of three species of South American birds constituting the family Anhimidae, and the suborder Palamedeae. They have two spines on each wing, and the head is either crested or horned. They are easily tamed, and then serve as guardians for other poultry. The crested screamers, or chajas, belong to the genus Chauna. The horned screamer, or kamichi, is Palamedea cornuta. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something so remarkable as to provoke a scream, as of joy. [ Slang ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. An exclamation mark. [ Printer's Slang ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. 1. Uttering screams; shrieking. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the nature of a scream; like a scream; shrill; sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fearful matrons raise a screaming cry. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A pebble; a stone; also, a heap of stones or rocky débris. [ Prov. Eng. ] Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]