1. [n]  sharp piercing cry; "her screaming attracted the neighbors"
2. [n]  a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry; "he ducked at the screechings of shells"; "he heard the scream of the brakes"
3. [v]  utter a shrill cry

1. \Shriek\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Shrieked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Shrieking}.] [OE. shriken, originallythe same word as E.
   screech. See {Screech}, and cf. {Screak}.]
   To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds
   and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or
   anguish.
         It was the owl that shrieked.            --Shak.
         At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train Echoed
         her grief.                               --Dryden.
   

2. \Shriek\, v. t.
   To utter sharply and shrilly; to utter in or with a shriek or
   shrieks.
         On top whereof aye dwelt the ghostly owl, Shrieking his
         baleful note.                            --Spenser.
         She shrieked his name To the dark woods. --Moore.
   

3. \Shriek\, n.
   A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as
   is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like.
         Shrieks, clamors, murmurs, fill the frighted town.
                                                  --Dryden.
   {Shriek owl}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The screech owl.
   (b) The swift; -- so called from its cry.
   

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