scree

UK /skɹiː/ US /skɹi/
noun 5verb 3

Definitions

noun

1

Loose stony debris on a slope.

To the north the towering scree-strewn slopes of Saddleback begin to draw nearer as we start the abrupt descent towards Keswick.

Struggling down the slope, There's not much hope. I begin to try to ride the scree But the rocks are tumbling all around me.

2

Similar debris made up of broken building material such as bricks, concrete, etc.

Acres of the industrial port had been reduced to desolation, half-walls, half-chimneys, crazy sticks of steel that looped up out of concrete scree. The temptation not to clear and rebuild must have been strong.

3

A slope made up of scree at the base of a cliff, mountain, etc.

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 […]

Also, special to Crete, and probably derived from some aspect of its climactic history, is cementation. Many screes are converted, in whole or in part, into concrete-like breccias. Carapaces of cemented scree encrust steep slopes. Cliffs of conglomerate or marl are covered with a layer of re-deposited limestone and look like hard rock. However, the loose contents are apt to trickle out through a breach in the crust, resulting in the jagged and hollow cliffs which are a picturesque feature of Crete

verb

1

To traverse scree downhill.

We decided it would be fun to go down the face of the mountain screeing ("skiing" on scree).

noun

1

A harsh, high-pitched sound or cry (as of a hawk).

I think both of our hearts must have gone into overdrive when we heard the metallic scree of a door being rolled open and the men's voices that accompanied it.

For a few moments the only sound was the rasp of a file as Lee moved onto the last of Rowdy's hooves, the sound of John clipping, the scree of a hawk flying overhead and the occasional nicker from the horses already tied up.

Your note

not saved
0 chars