squab

[ skwob ]

noun

, plural squabs, squab.

1. a nestling pigeon, especially a domesticated one raised to an age of about 30 days for its flesh.
2. Cooking. the flesh of the squab, used as food:

   Our squab was served with a butter and raisin sauce.

3. a short, stout person.
4. a thickly stuffed, soft cushion.

adjective

1. short and thick or broad.
2. (of a bird) unfledged or newly hatched.

squab

/ skwɒb /

noun

1. a young unfledged bird, esp a pigeon
2. a short fat person
3. 1. a well-stuffed bolster or cushion
   2. a sofa

adjective

1. (of birds) recently hatched and still unfledged
2. short and fat

Derived Forms

• ˈsquabby, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of squab¹

First recorded in 1630–40; probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish dialect skvabb “loose, fat flesh,” skvabba “fat woman,” Norwegian skvabb “soft wet mass”

Word History and Origins

Origin of squab¹

C17: probably of Germanic origin; compare Swedish dialect sqvabb flabby skin, sqvabba fat woman, German Quabbe soft mass, Norwegian kvabb mud

Example Sentences

There were oysters, salmon with Hollandaise sauce, beef, squab, duck, roast chicken, green peas, parsnip purée and Victoria pudding.

From New York Times

Why is “squab” a delicious entree but a “pigeon” a rodent-like nuisance?

From Los Angeles Times

What sounds like a gimmick turns out to be luscious, and a first course of either chawanmushi or roast squab underscores a kitchen steeped in the classics.

From Washington Post

Others, including squab glazed with Guinness and cocoa, channel a grand French restaurant.

From Washington Post

The leaf skin tastes meaty from a simmer in a bone stock of rabbit, chicken and squab with hints of allium and black truffle.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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