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squash

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Squash is to squeeze something to make it smaller, or to crush an idea, or push down an emotion.

(verb)

When you flatten down trash in the trash can by stepping on it, this is an example of a time when you squash down the trash.
When you dismiss an idea outright, this is an example of a time when you squash the idea.
When you suppress a laugh or a feeling of anger, this is an example of a time when you squash the feeling.

Squash is defined as a state of being squished into a small space, or a vegetable, or is a game where rackets are used by two players to hit a rubber ball against the walls.

(noun)

When you are squished into a small space, this is an example of a squash.
A zucchini is an example of a squash.
A game where you hit a ball against a wall to another player in a closed court is an example of squash.

See squash in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

1. to squeeze or crush into a soft or flat mass
2. to press or squeeze tightly or too tightly
to suppress or bring to an abrupt end; quash: to squash a rebellion
Informal to silence or disconcert (another) in a crushing manner

Origin: OFr esquasser < VL *exquassare < L ex-, intens. + quassus: see quash

intransitive verb

to be squashed, as by a heavy fall, pressure, etc.
to make a sound of squashing or splashing
to force one's way; crowd; squeeze

noun

something squashed; crushed mass
a squashing or being squashed
the sound of squashing
either of two similar games combining elements of both tennis and handball; specif.,
1. one played in a four-walled court with a small, long-handled racket and a small rubber ball
  in full squash racquets
2. one played in a similar court, but with a larger racket and a larger, livelier ball
  in full squash tennis
Brit. a drink made of sweetened fruit juice or fruit-flavored syrup diluted with water: lemon squash

adverb

so as to squash
with a squashing sound

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noun

the fleshy fruit of any of various plants (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family, eaten as a vegetable
a plant, usually a vine, bearing this fruit

Origin: shortened < isquoutersquashes, squontersquashes, pl. < S New England Algonquian: cf. Narragansett askútasquash, pl.

See squash in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various tendril-bearing plants of the genus Cucurbita, having fleshy edible fruit with a leathery rind and unisexual flowers.
The fruit of any of these plants, eaten as a vegetable.

Origin:

Origin: From alteration of Narragansett askútasquash

verb squashed, squash·ing, squash·es

verb, transitive

To beat, squeeze, or press into a pulp or a flattened mass; crush. See Synonyms at crush.
To put down or suppress; quash: squash a revolt.
To silence or fluster, as with crushing words: squash a heckler.

verb, intransitive