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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Screech \Screech\ (skr[=e]ch), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Screeched};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Screeching}.] [Also formerly, scritch, OE.
skriken, skrichen, schriken, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel.
skr[ae]kja to shriek, to screech, skr[imac]kja 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.
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Screech \Screech\, n.
A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a
shriek; a scream.
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{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.
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