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squints - 2 dictionary results

squint

  [skwint] ,
Use squints in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to look with the eyes partly closed.
2. Ophthalmology. to be affected with strabismus; be cross-eyed.
3. to look or glance obliquely or sidewise; look askance.
4. to make or have an indirect reference to or bearing on; tend or incline toward (usually fol. by toward, at, etc.).
–verb (used with object)
5. to close (the eyes) partly in looking: The baby squinted its eyes at the bright lights.
6. to cause to squint; cause to look obliquely.
–noun
7. an act or instance of squinting.
8. Ophthalmology. a condition of the eye consisting in noncoincidence of the optic axes; strabismus.
9. Informal. a quick glance: Let me have a squint at that paper.
10. a looking obliquely or askance.
11. an indirect reference.
12. an inclination or tendency, esp. an oblique or perverse one.
13. Also called hagioscope. (in a church) a small opening in a wall giving a view of the altar.
–adjective
14. looking obliquely; looking with a side glance; looking askance.
15. Ophthalmology. (of the eyes) affected with strabismus.
Origin:
1350–1400 for earlier adv. sense; 1570–80 for adj. senses; ME; aph. var. of asquint

Related forms:
squinter, noun
squint⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
squint⋅ing⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To squints
squint   (skwĭnt)   
v.   squint·ed, squint·ing, squints

v.   intr.
  1. To look with the eyes partly closed, as in bright sunlight.
    1. To look or glance sideways.
    2. To look askance, as in disapproval.
  3. To have an indirect reference or inclination.
  4. To be affected with strabismus.
v.   tr.
  1. To cause to squint.
  2. To close (the eyes) partly while looking.
n.  
  1. The act or an instance of squinting.
    1. A sideways glance.
    2. A quick look or glance: Take a squint at this view.
  3. An oblique reference or inclination.
  4. See strabismus.
  5. A hagioscope.
adj.  
  1. Looking obliquely or askance.
  2. Squint-eyed.

[Short for asquint.]
squint'er n., squint'y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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