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squinch
(skwinc̸h)
noun
an interior corner support, as a small arch, corbeling, or lintel, supporting a weight, as of a spire, resting upon it
Origin: var. of scunch, contr. < LME scuncheon < OFr escoinson < es- (< L ex-) + coin, corner: see coin
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transitive verb
- to squint (the eyes)
- to pucker or screw up (the face, nose, brow, etc.)
- to squeeze or compress
Origin: squint + (p)inch
intransitive verb
- to squint, pucker, or contort
- to crouch down or draw oneself together so as to seem smaller
- to flinch
See squinch in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A structure, such as a section of vaulting or corbeling, set diagonally across the interior angle between two walls to provide a transition from a square to a polygonal or more nearly circular base on which to construct a dome.
Origin:
Origin: Alteration of scuncheon
Origin: , from Middle English sconchon
Origin: , from Old French escoinson
Origin: : es-, out of (from Latin ex-; see ex-)
Origin: + coin, angle, wedge; see coin
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squinch1
transitive verb squinched, squinch·ing, squinch·es
To squeeze, twist, or draw together: squinched her eyes shut.
Origin:
Origin: Alteration of squint
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