squinch

2 definitions found

squinch - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Squinch \Squinch\ (skw[i^]nch), n. [Corrupted fr. sconce.]
     (Arch.)
     A small arch thrown across the corner of a square room to
     support a superimposed mass, as where an octagonal spire or
     drum rests upon a square tower; -- called also sconce, and
     sconcheon.
     [1913 Webster]

squinch - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  squinch
      n 1: a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls
           (usually to support a spire)
      v 1: crouch down
      2: draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they
         showed the slaughtering of the calf" [syn: flinch,
         squinch, funk, cringe, shrink, wince, recoil,
         quail]
      3: cross one's eyes as if in strabismus; "The children squinted
         so as to scare each other" [syn: squint, squinch]