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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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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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
Definition 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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for squinch
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
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