squinch

¹

[ skwinch ]

noun

, Architecture.

1. a small arch, corbeling, or the like, built across the interior angle between two walls, as in a square tower for supporting the side of a superimposed octagonal spire.

squinch

²

[ skwinch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to contort (the features) or squint.
2. to squeeze together or contract.

verb (used without object)

1. to squeeze together or crouch down, as to fit into a smaller space.

squinch

/ skwɪntʃ /

noun

1. a small arch, corbelling, etc, across an internal corner of a tower, used to support a superstructure such as a spire Also calledsquinch arch

Word History and Origins

Origin of squinch¹

1490–1500; variant of scunch, short for scuncheon, Middle English sconch ( e ) on < Middle French escoinson, esconchon; sconcheon

Origin of squinch²

1830–40; origin uncertain; squint

Word History and Origins

Origin of squinch¹

C15: from obsolete scunch , from Middle English sconcheon , from Old French escoinson , from es- ex- ¹+ coin corner

Example Sentences

He communicates with Ms. Da Silva through a breathy whisper and by blinking and squinching the cheek he can still move.

From New York Times

Jay scraped the bottom of his bowl of fruit and I squinched my face up at the sound.

From Literature

He squinched his eyes tight, looking like he was about to cry.

From New York Times

His artisans cut and carved it; they dressed slim pillars in it and giant domes; they shoved it in squinches and let it unfurl over the spandrels of arches.

From New York Times

Also, the smallest scrub of trees, whoopee, way, way off in the distance, though you have to squinch your eyes to see them.

From Literature

Related Words

• peek
• peep