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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
squinch
n : 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, funk,
cringe, shrink, wince, recoil, quail]
3: partly close one's eyes; "The children squinted to frighten
each other" [syn: squint, cross one's eyes]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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