Scree

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈskɹiː/
• Rhymes: -iː

From Old Norse skriða ("landslip"). Also see screed.

Full definition of scree

Noun

1. (uncountable) Loose stony debris on a slope.
• 2003, Bing West, The Pepperdogs: A Novel, page 328:Occasional rounds zinged off the scree, each with a different pitch.
2. A slope of such material at the base of a cliff, etc.
• 1987, Michael J. Sallnow, Pilgrims of the Andes: regional cults in Cusco, page 189:The next landmark was an apachita 'cairn', at the top of a steep scree. Each pilgrim carried a stone to the summit, spat on it, and threw it on to the cairn — the purpose being, I was told, to relieve the soul of its sins ...

Verb

1. To flatten or level concrete, while still wet, and clear protruding stones and gravel from the surface.
• 1947, Concrete production and control: Tennessee Valley Authority projects, page 44:The crushing and screeing equipment owned by the TVA was transferred from job to job, and the availability of this equipment was one of the factors in determining who would produce the aggregate.
• 1974, Wildlife in North Carolina, volumes 38-39, page 8:Pour concrete. Use a straight 1-inch pipe about 12 feet long to scree each section.
• 1999, Maxine Kumin, Quit monks or die!: a novel, page 44:He was a stupid sonofabitch who didn't scree the concrete enough, his corner post was an eighth of an inch out of plumb, and what asshole set these louvers upside down?
• 1999, Theodore Osmundson, Roof gardens: history, design, and construction, The sand bed is screed in preparation for laying the precast paving.
• 1993 August 9, "Jeff LaCoss" (username), "Remodeling: new tile bath?", in misc.consumers.house

• You can set 1" thick slats on the tar and use them to scree the concrete to thickness.
1. To traverse scree.

(onomatopoeia)

Noun

1. A harsh high-pitched sound as of a hawk.

Verb

1. To make a high-pitched sound like that of a hawk.
• 2010, Linda Ross Meyer, Match, the Whining Dragon, page 62:She screed like a hawk.

Anagrams

• ceres, Ceres