squill

[ skwil ]

/ skwɪl /

noun

the bulb of the sea onion, Urginea maritima, of the lily family, cut into thin slices and dried, and used in medicine chiefly as an expectorant.

the plant itself.

any related plant of the genus Scilla.

Nearby words

squiffed, squiffy, squiggle, squiggly, squilgee, squill, squilla, squillagee, squillion, squinancy, squinch

Origin of squill

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin squilla, variant of scilla < Greek skílla

Related formssquill-like, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for squill

The Egyptians planted the Squill in groves, and hung it in their houses to preserve them from evil spirits.
Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics|Richard Folkard
It is not improbable that the squill might have some share in this cure.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering
This leaves only squill among the constituents of Anasarcin for consideration.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
There was also a tail to the fish—which Squill called a “divil-fish”—shaped like a fin.
The Crew of the Water Wagtail|R.M. Ballantyne

The squill was used by the Egyptians for dropsy, under the mystic name of the Eye of Typhon.
The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and Pharmacy|Charles John Samuel Thompson

British Dictionary definitions for squill

squill

/ (skwɪl) /

noun

See sea squill

the bulb of the sea squill, formerly used medicinally as an expectorant after being sliced and dried

any Old World liliaceous plant of the genus Scilla, such as S. verna (spring squill) of Europe, having small blue or purple flowers

Word Origin for squill

C14: from Latin squilla sea onion, from Greek skilla, of obscure origin

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