squinch

¹ American  

[skwinch] / skwɪntʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to contort (the features) or squint.

2. to squeeze together or contract.

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verb (used without object)

1. to squeeze together or crouch down, as to fit into a smaller space.

squinch ² American  

[skwinch] / skwɪntʃ /

noun

Architecture.

1. a small arch, corbeling, or the like, built across the interior angle between two walls, as in a square tower for supporting the side of a superimposed octagonal spire.

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squinch British  

/ skwɪntʃ /

noun

1. Also called: squinch arch.  a small arch, corbelling, etc, across an internal corner of a tower, used to support a superstructure such as a spire

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Etymology

Origin of squinch¹

1830–40; origin uncertain; squint

Origin of squinch¹

1490–1500; variant of scunch, short for scuncheon, Middle English sconch ( e ) on < Middle French escoinson, esconchon; sconcheon

Example Sentences

Mr. Grayson’s face was squinched up like he was trying not to laugh, or maybe like he was going to cry.

From Literature

He communicates with Ms. Da Silva through a breathy whisper and by blinking and squinching the cheek he can still move.

From New York Times

Jay scraped the bottom of his bowl of fruit and I squinched my face up at the sound.

From Literature

He squinched his eyes tight, looking like he was about to cry.

From New York Times

His artisans cut and carved it; they dressed slim pillars in it and giant domes; they shoved it in squinches and let it unfurl over the spandrels of arches.

From New York Times

Related Words

• gleam
• glimmer
• twinkle