squinch


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squinch1

squinch 1

 (skwĭnch)
n.
A structure, such as a section of vaulting or corbeling, set diagonally across the interior angle between two walls to provide a transition from a square to a polygonal or more nearly circular base on which to construct a dome.
[Alteration of scuncheon, from Middle English sconchon, from Old French escoinson : es-, out of (from Latin ex-; see ex-) + coin, angle, wedge; see coin.]

squinch 2

 (skwĭnch)
tr.v. squinched, squinch·ing, squinch·es
To squeeze, twist, or draw together: squinched her eyes shut.
[Alteration of squint.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

squinch

(skwɪntʃ)
n
(Architecture) a small arch, corbelling, etc, across an internal corner of a tower, used to support a superstructure such as a spire. Also called: squinch arch
[C15: from obsolete scunch, from Middle English sconcheon, from Old French escoinson, from es- ex-1 + coin corner]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

squinch1

(skwɪntʃ)

n.
a small arch, corbeling, etc., built across the interior angle between two walls, as in a square tower for supporting a superimposed octagonal spire.
[1490–1500; variant of scunch, short for scuncheon < Middle French escoinson, esconchon; see sconcheon]

squinch2

(skwɪntʃ)

v.t.
1. to contort (the features) or squint.
2. to squeeze together or contract.
v.i.
3. to squeeze together or crouch down, as to fit into a smaller space.
[1830–40; orig. uncertain; compare squint]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.squinch - a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls (usually to support a spire)
arch - (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
trumpet arch - a conical squinch
Verb1.squinch - crouch down
crouch, stoop, bend, bow - bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse"
2.squinch - draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf"
cringe, flinch, funk, quail, recoil, wince, shrink
move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right"
shrink back, retract - pull away from a source of disgust or fear
3.squinch - cross one's eyes as if in strabismus; "The children squinted so as to scare each other"
squint
grimace, make a face, pull a face - contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state; "He grimaced when he saw the amount of homework he had to do"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

squinch

verb
To peer with the eyes partly closed:
squint.
Idiom: screw up one's eyes.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations

squinch

(US)
vt eyes → zusammenkneifen
vi → blinzeln, die Augen zusammenkneifen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
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References in classic literature ?
If he that has a right to be master and ruler here is forced to squinch his thirst, when a-dry, with snow-Water, it ill becomes them that have lived by his bounty to be making merry, as if there was nothing in the world but sunshine and summer.”
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There were wonderful moments: cleverly handled external brickwork in a lovely curving zig-zag, a soaring timber roof and a surprising deep set squinch window giving a view out to the fields beyond.
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In the beginning, God created grapes, and trod their skins flat in His winepress, spritzing their organs, crushing their bodies, squinch by squinch, with His largeness, and the Spirit moved upon the face of the pool.
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