squab

American  

[skwob] / skwɒb /

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.

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adjective

1. short and thick or broad.

2. (of a bird) unfledged or newly hatched.

squab British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. (of birds) recently hatched and still unfledged

2. short and fat

Other Word Forms

• squabby adjective

Etymology

Origin of squab

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

Example Sentences

My favorite bites included a stuffed squab with farro, black trumpet mushroom relish, and huckleberry, as well as a whimsical dish called “The Truffle Hunt.”

From Salon

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

Related Words

• buffer
• headrest
• mat