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

De squinch-owl done hush, en de win' done gone, en it look like de water done stop sneakin' en crawlin' und' de bank.

From Project Gutenberg

A squinch thrown across an arcade may be conjectured for strength were it not confuted by two buttresses on the outside.

From Project Gutenberg

And Cappy shook his head emphatically several times like a squinch-owl.

From Project Gutenberg

Business was business with Mr. Squinch, and social calls should be discouraged.

From Project Gutenberg

“Suppose that we say twenty-five hundred,” resumed Mr. Squinch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• peek
• peep