squinch

¹

[skwinch]

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.

squinch

²

[skwinch]

verb (used with object)

1. to contort (the features) or squint.

2. to squeeze together or contract.

verb (used without object)

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

squinch

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squinch¹

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

Origin of squinch²

1830–40; origin uncertain; squint

Word History and Origins

Origin of squinch¹

C15: from obsolete scunch , from Middle English sconcheon , from Old French escoinson , from es- _ex- ¹ + coin corner

Example Sentences

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

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I squinched my eyes tight but let him keep on.

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

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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.

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Also, the smallest scrub of trees, whoopee, way, way off in the distance, though you have to squinch your eyes to see them.

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Related Words

• gleam 
• glimmer 
• twinkle