scree
/skriː
/noun [mass noun]
1A mass of small loose stones that form or cover a slope on a mountain: they had to pick their way up precarious scree [as modifier]: we reached the treacherous scree slope...
- The roof gives one the sensation of sitting in a dry riverbed or mountain scree slope, particularly because it lacks containing barriers.
- Melting ice gave way to continual rocks falling down scree slopes and into glacial streams and underground ice caves.
- It's a steep climb to the gap over loose scree and boulder slopes but the climbing eases off once you enter the narrow confines of The Window.
1.1 [count noun] A slope covered with scree: the dramatic cliffs and screes...
- On three sides, cliffs and screes rose from a lake to the ice-cap above.
- While Meall a'Ghiubhais is a straightforward climb from the path, the steep screes and formidable northern crags of Ruadh-stac Beag makes a direct ascent almost impossible.
- This can be found on the screes in the Torlesse Range some 80 km from Christchurch.
Origin
Early 18th century: probably a back-formation from the plural screes, from Old Norse skritha 'landslip'; related to skrítha 'glide'.