squinch
1
[ skwinch ]
/ skwɪntʃ /
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.
Origin of squinch
1
1490–1500; 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)
squinch
2
[ 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
2
1830–40; origin uncertain; cf.
squint
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 spire
Also 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