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squinch
1[ skwinch ]
/ skwɪntʃ /
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noun Architecture.
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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Origin of squinch
11490–1500; variant of scunch, short for scuncheon,Middle English sconch(e)on<Middle French escoinson, esconchon;see sconcheon
Words nearby squinch
squill, squilla, squillagee, squillion, squinancy, squinch, squinny, squint, squint-eyed, squinting modifier, squinty
Other definitions for squinch (2 of 2)
squinch2
[ skwinch ]
/ skwɪntʃ /
verb (used with object)
to contort (the features) or squint.
to squeeze together or contract.
verb (used without object)
to squeeze together or crouch down, as to fit into a smaller space.
Origin of squinch
21830–40; origin uncertain; cf. squint
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use squinch in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for squinch
squinch
/ (skwɪntʃ) /
noun
a small arch, corbelling, etc, across an internal corner of a tower, used to support a superstructure such as a spireAlso called: squinch arch
Word Origin for squinch
C15: from obsolete scunch, from Middle English sconcheon, from Old French escoinson, from es- ex- 1 + coin corner
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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