squinch

views updated May 21 2018

squinch1 / skwinch/ • n. a straight or arched structure across an interior angle of a square tower to carry a superstructure such as a dome.squinch2 • v. [tr.] tense up the muscles of (one's eyes or face): Gina squinched her face up. ∎  [intr.] (of a person's eyes) narrow so as to be almost closed, typically in reaction to strong light: he flicked on the light, which made my eyes squinch up. ∎  [intr.] crouch down in order to make oneself seem smaller or to occupy less space: I squinched down under the sheet.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

squinch

views updated May 11 2018

squinch (archit.) †stone cut for a scuncheon XV; support constructed across an angle XIX. Shortening of SCUNCHEON
.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

squinch

views updated May 23 2018

squinch. See dome.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

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