squib

American  

[skwib] / skwɪb /

noun

1. a short and witty or sarcastic saying or writing.

2. Journalism. a short news story, often used as a filler.

3. a small firework, consisting of a tube or ball filled with powder, that burns with a hissing noise terminated usually by a slight explosion.

4. a firecracker broken in the middle so that it burns with a hissing noise but does not explode.

5. Australian. a coward.

6. an electric, pyrotechnic device for firing the igniter of a rocket engine, especially a solid-propellant engine.

7. Obsolete. a mean or paltry fellow.

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verb (used without object)

squibbed, squibbing

1. to write squibs.

2. to shoot a squib.

3. to explode with a small, sharp sound.

4. to move swiftly and irregularly.

5. Australian.

   1. to be afraid.

   2. to flee; escape.

verb (used with object)

squibbed, squibbing

1. to assail in squibs or lampoons.

2. to toss, shoot, or utilize as a squib.

squib British  

/ skwɪb /

noun

1. a firework, usually having a tube filled with gunpowder, that burns with a hissing noise and culminates in a small explosion

2. a firework that does not explode because of a fault; dud

3. a short witty attack; lampoon

4. an electric device for firing a rocket engine

5. obsolete an insignificant person

6. slang a coward

7. something intended but failing to impress

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verb

1. (intr) to sound, move, or explode like a squib

2. (intr) to let off or shoot a squib

3. to write a squib against (someone)

4. (intr) to move in a quick irregular fashion

5. slang (intr) to behave in a cowardly fashion

Other Word Forms

• squibbish adjective

Etymology

Origin of squib

First recorded in 1515–25; origin uncertain

Related Words

• advertisement
• advice
• comment
• criticism
• directive
• instruction
• manifesto
• memo
• memorandum
• news
• note
• notification
• order
• picture
• poster
• proclamation
• review
• story
• warning