Making a loud, high-pitched, unpleasant sound, like tires sliding on pavement or a bird crying out sharply.
From Middle English 'screchen,' likely imitative in origin, mimicking the harsh sound itself. The '-ing' form shows present participle. Related to Old Norse and Low German words for shrill sounds.
Screeching is almost onomatopoeia—your mouth literally makes a sharp shape when you say it, mirroring the actual sound! Ancient people probably made up this word by imitating nature's most annoying noises.
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