screed

IPA/skriːd/
KK[skrˈid]IPA/skriːd/

screed — noun

  • screedsingular
  • screedsplural

1. a long, boring piece of writing in which the writer expresses very strong opinio

1.名詞C1
釋義

a long, boring piece of writing in which the writer expresses very strong opinions, often in an unreasonable or complaining way

例句

Meera sent a three-page screed to the landlord about the broken heating.

screed + to [person] + about [topic]

The newspaper's editorial was little more than a political screed full of angry accusations.

political screed with negative modifier

同義詞
  • tirade

    a long angry speech, not writing

  • rant

    more informal; can be spoken or written, often less structured

  • diatribe

    formal, suggests bitter and harsh criticism

  • harangue

    a long, forceful spoken address, not typically written

文法句型

a + screed + (about/against + topic)

用法筆記

Frequently carries a disapproving tone — use when you want to criticise writing as too long, too emotional, or too aggressive. Often used in the phrase 'a screed about/against [something]'.

常見錯誤

❌I wrote a screed about my holiday.
✅I wrote a screed complaining about the terrible hotel service.
💡'screed' implies strong negative feeling, not neutral description.
❌The teacher gave a screed about homework.
✅The teacher gave a long lecture about homework.
💡'screed' usually refers to writing, not spoken speech (use 'tirade' or 'rant' for speech).

2. a thin layer of concrete or other material that is spread over a floor to create

2.名詞C2
釋義

a thin layer of concrete or other material that is spread over a floor to create a flat, level surface before the final flooring is installed

例句

The builders poured the screed and waited for it to dry before tiling the kitchen floor.

pour + screed

A layer of screed about five centimetres thick was laid over the concrete base.

layer of screed + thick

文法句型

layer of + screed

screed + is + laid/poured

用法筆記

Specialist term in construction. The screed layer is between the structural concrete base and the finished floor surface (tiles, wood, carpet). Not used for wall plaster.

3. a long, straight board or metal tool used to scrape across wet concrete or plast

3.名詞C2
釋義

a long, straight board or metal tool used to scrape across wet concrete or plaster, making the surface flat and level before it hardens

例句

Brian used a long wooden screed to smooth the wet concrete across the garage floor.

use a screed + to + infinitive

The worker ran the screed back and forth across the surface to remove the extra concrete.

run the screed across

同義詞
  • straightedge

    a precise measuring and levelling tool; more technical

  • levelling tool

    generic term for any device used to flatten surfaces

文法句型

use a + screed + to + smooth/level

用法筆記

A tool sense distinct from sense 2 (the material layer). The screed (board) is used to create the screed (layer). Usually made of wood or aluminium. Also called a 'screed board' or 'straightedge'.