screech

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screech / skrēch/ • v. [intr.] (of a person or animal) give a loud, harsh, piercing cry: she hit her brother, causing him to screech with pain. ∎  make a loud, harsh, squealing sound: [as adj.] (screeching) she brought the car to a screeching halt. ∎  [intr.] move rapidly with such a sound: the van screeched around the corner at top speed.• n. a loud, harsh, piercing cry. ∎  a loud, harsh, squealing sound: a screech of brakes.DERIVATIVES: screech·er n.screech·y adj. (screech·i·er, screech·i·est) .