squeeze  (skwēz) 
v.
squeezed, squeez·ing, squeez·es
v.
tr.
To press hard on or together; compress. To press gently, as in affection: squeezed her hand. To exert pressure on, as by way of extracting liquid: squeeze an orange. To extract by or as if by applying pressure: squeeze juice from a lemon; squeezed a confession out of a suspect. To extract by dishonest means; extort. To pressure or intimidate (someone) to comply with a demand, as to make an extortion payment. To obtain room for by pressure; cram: squeezed her books into the briefcase. To manage to find time or space for. Games To force (an opponent) to use a potentially winning card in a trick he or she cannot take in bridge. Baseball To cause (a run or base runner) to score on a squeeze play.
v.
intr.
To give way under pressure. To exert pressure. To force one's way: squeeze through a crowd; squeeze into a tight space.
n. The act or an instance of squeezing. An amount squeezed out: a squeeze of lemon. A handclasp or brief embrace. A group crowded together; a crush. Informal A squeeze play. Financial pressure caused by shortages or narrowing economic margins. Pressure or intimidation to comply with a demand, as to make an extortion payment. Games A forced discard of a potentially winning card in bridge. Slang One's primary romantic partner or sweetheart.
Phrasal Verb(s):
squeeze offTo fire (a round of bullets) by squeezing the trigger.
squeeze through/byTo manage narrowly to pass, win, or survive.
[Probably alteration of obsolete quease, to press, from Middle English queisen, from Old English cwȳsan.]
squeez'a·ble adj., squeez'er n. |
l]