squill

[ skwil ]

/ skwɪl /

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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.

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Origin of squill

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

OTHER WORDS FROM squill

squill-like, adjective

Words nearby squill

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use squill in a sentence

His complaints increasing, the squill was pushed as far as could be borne, but without any good effect.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering
After trying squill medicines without effect, he was ordered to take Pulv.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering
After trying squill and other medicines to no purpose, I directed a decoction of the Fol.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering
After a trial of squill, fixed alkaly, and dulcified spirit of nitre, I directed Pulv.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering

I therefore once more directed squill, with decoction of seneka and sal sodæ; but it was inefficacious.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses|William Withering

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