squat

[skwot]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squat ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), squat·ted or squat, squat·ting.

to sit in a low or crouching position with the legs drawn up closely beneath or in front of the body; sit on one's haunches or heels.

to crouch down or cower, as an animal.

to settle on or occupy property, especially otherwise unoccupied property, without any title, right, or payment of rent.

to settle on public land under government regulation, in order to acquire title.

Nautical. (of a vessel, especially a power vessel) to draw more water astern when in motion forward than when at rest.

verb (used with object), squat·ted or squat, squat·ting.

to cause to squat.

to occupy (property) as a squatter.

adjective, squat·ter, squat·test.

(of a person, animal, the body, etc.) short and thickset.

low and thick or broad: The building had a squat shape.

seated or being in a squatting position; crouching.

noun

the act or fact of squatting.

a squatting position or posture.

a weightlifting exercise in which a person squats and then returns to an erect position while holding a barbell at the back of the shoulders.

Nautical. the tendency of a vessel to draw more water astern when in motion than when stationary.

Slang. doodly-squat.

a place occupied by squatters.

Origin of squat

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English squatten < Old French esquater, esquatir, equivalent to es- ex-¹ + quatir < Vulgar Latin *coactīre to compress, equivalent to Latin coāct(us), past participle of cōgere to compress (co- co- + ag(ere) to drive + -tus past participle suffix) + -īre infinitive suffix; (noun) Middle English, derivative of the v.; (adj.) Middle English: in a squatting position, orig., past participle of the v.

Related formssquat·ly, adverbsquat·ness, noun

Synonyms for squat

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squat ON THESAURUS.COM

8. dumpy, stocky, square.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for squat

perch, crouch, hunch, sit, cower, stoop, heavy, thick, fat, broad, splay, settle, bow, roost, chunky, dumpy, heavyset, thickset

Examples from the Web for squat

Contemporary Examples of squat

The fitness coaches at a globo-gym like Gold's would notice that a user was struggling with their squat or treadmill run.
Amiigo Tracker Pairs Data With Deadlifts
Gregory Ferenstein
August 4, 2014
The barracks is a squat building surrounded by sandbags on a side street near the city center.
Ukraine’s Pro-Putin Rebels Prepare for a Last Stand
David Patrikarakos
July 10, 2014
The only difference is that you jump straight up and then land in a squat position.
Squats: The Absolutely Incredible Secret to Staying in Shape
Ari Meisel
January 2, 2014
In an isometric squat, drop down into your squat position and then just hold it there for as long as you can.
Squats: The Absolutely Incredible Secret to Staying in Shape
Ari Meisel
January 2, 2014
Squats invigorate your nervous system and help your stress response since the squat is a naturally defensive position.
Squats: The Absolutely Incredible Secret to Staying in Shape
Ari Meisel
January 2, 2014

Historical Examples of squat

The fine gateway of the castle is flanked by two squat towers.
Yorkshire Painted And Described
Gordon Home
It was a low vault, with squat arches, on exactly the same plan as the choir.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
The animal waddled toward the centre of the circle, short and squat and ungainly.
White Fang
Jack London
Fire rays fall athwart the robes Of hooded men, squat and dumb.
War is Kind
Stephen Crane
I'll squat you down in the gutter if you don't look out, Miss Fine-airs!
The Fat and the Thin
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for squat

squat

verb squats, squatting or squatted (intr)

to rest in a crouching position with the knees bent and the weight on the feet

to crouch down, esp in order to hide

law (tr) to occupy land or property to which the occupant has no legal title

weightlifting to crouch down to one's knees and rise to a standing position while holding (a specified weight) behind one's neck

adjective

Also: squatty (ˈskwɒtɪ) short and broada squat chair

noun

a squatting position

weightlifting an exercise in which a person crouches down and rises up repeatedly while holding a barbell at shoulder height

a house occupied by squatters

Derived Formssquatly, adverbsquatness, noun

Word Origin for squat

C13: from Old French esquater, from es- ex- 1 + catir to press together, from Vulgar Latin coactīre (unattested), from Latin cōgere to compress, from co- + agere to drive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for squat

early 15c., "crouch on the heels," from Old French esquatir "press down, lay flat, crush," from es- "out" (from Latin ex-) + Old French quatir "press down, flatten," from Vulgar Latin *coactire "press together, force," from Latin coactus, past participle of cogere "to compel, curdle, collect" (see cogent). Related: Squatted; squatting. Slang noun sense of "nothing at all" first attested 1934, probably suggestive of squatting to defecate. The adjective sense of "short, thick" dates from 1620s.