screeching

screeching
    n 1: a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry; "he ducked at
         the screechings of shells"; "he heard the scream of the
         brakes" [syn: {screech}, {screeching}, {shriek},
         {shrieking}, {scream}, {screaming}]
    2: sharp piercing cry; "her screaming attracted the neighbors"
       [syn: {scream}, {screaming}, {shriek}, {shrieking},
       {screech}, {screeching}]
    

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.
   [1913 Webster]