screed
UK: skriːd | US: skrid
n. 1. A long, monotonous speech or piece of writing.
n. 2. A strip of material (e.g., plaster or concrete) applied to level or smooth a surface.
vt. 3. To level or smooth a surface with a screed.
The word "screed" originates from Old Norse skrædha, meaning "to tear" or "shred," reflecting its early association with fragmented or lengthy discourse. Over time, it evolved to denote both a tedious verbal outpouring (sense 1) and a construction tool (sense 2), the latter likely influenced by the idea of "stripping" or "smoothing" surfaces. The dual meanings highlight the word's journey from literal tearing to metaphorical and functional applications.
The politician delivered a two-hour screed against tax reforms.
Workers applied a screed to ensure the concrete floor was perfectly flat.
His blog post turned into an incoherent screed filled with grievances.
The contractor used an aluminum screed to level the wet mortar.
Avoid turning your feedback into a rambling screed—be concise.