[Origin: 1250–1300; (v.) ME squatten < OF esquater,esquatir, equiv. to es-ex-1+ quatir < VL *coactīre to compress, equiv. to L coāct(us), ptp. of cōgere to compress (co-co-+ ag(ere) to drive + -tus ptp. suffix) + -īre inf. suffix; (n.) ME, deriv. of the v.; (adj.) ME: in a squatting position, orig., ptp. of the v.]
To sit in a crouching position with knees bent and the buttocks on or near the heels.
To crouch down, as an animal does.
To settle on unoccupied land without legal claim.
To occupy a given piece of public land in order to acquire title to it.
v.
tr.
To put (oneself) into a crouching posture.
To occupy as a squatter.
adj.
squat·ter, squat·test
Short and thick; low and broad.
Crouched in a squatting position.
n.
The act of squatting.
A squatting or crouching posture.
Sports A lift or a weightlifting exercise in which one squats and stands while holding a weighted barbell supported by the back of the shoulders.
The place occupied by a squatter.
The lair of an animal such as a hare.
Slang A small or worthless amount; diddlysquat.
[Middle English squatten, from Old French esquatir, to crush : es-, intensive pref. (from Latin ex-; see ex-) + quatir, to press flat (from Vulgar Latin *coāctīre, from Latin coāctus, past participle of cōgere, to compress : co-, co- + agere, to drive; see ag- in Indo-European roots).]
Main Entry: squat·ter Pronunciation: 'skwä-t&r Function: noun : a person who occupies real property without a claim of right or title
NOTE: In most jurisdictions, a squatter cannot gain title to land through adverse possession because adverse possession requires possession of the property under a claim of right or color of
title.
Squat\, n. 1. The posture of one that sits on his heels or hams, or close to the ground. 2. A sudden or crushing fall. [Obs.] --erbert. 3. (Mining) (a) A small vein of ore. (b) A mineral consisting of tin ore and spar. --Halliwell. Woodward. Squat snipe (Zo["o]l.), the jacksnipe; -- called also squatter. [Local, U.S.]
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