screeching

screech  (skrch)

n.

1. A high-pitched, strident cry.

2. A sound suggestive of this cry: the screech of train brakes.

v. screeched, screech·ing, screech·es

v.tr.

To utter in or as if in a screech.

v.intr.

1. To cry out in a high-pitched, strident voice.

2. To make a sound suggestive of a screech: Tires screeched on the wet pavement.

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[Alteration of obsolete scrich, from Middle English scrichen, to screech, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skrækja.]

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screecher n.

screechi·ness n.

screechy adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	screeching - a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry; "he ducked at the screechings of shells"; "he heard the scream of the brakes" screech, shriek, shrieking, scream, screaming noise - sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound); "he enjoyed the street noises"; "they heard indistinct noises of people talking"; "during the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels"
	2.	screeching - sharp piercing cry; "her screaming attracted the neighbors" scream, screaming, shriek, shrieking, screech cry, outcry, shout, vociferation, yell, call - a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition; "the speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience"