Etymology

Derived from asquint (“obliquely, with a sidelong glance”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /skwɪnt/Category:English 1-syllable words#SQUINTCategory:English terms with IPA pronunciation#SQUINT

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

  Category:English terms with audio pronunciation#SQUINT
• Rhymes: -ɪntCategory:Rhymes:English/ɪnt#SQUINTCategory:Rhymes:English/ɪnt/1 syllable#SQUINT

Verb

Man squinting (verb sense 1)

Child squinting (verb sense 2)

A person with strabismus (verb sense 3)

squint (third-person singular simple present squints, present participle squinting, simple past and past participle squinted)Category:English lemmas#SQUINTCategory:English verbs#SQUINTCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#SQUINTCategory:Pages with entries#SQUINTCategory:Pages with 1 entry#SQUINT

2. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#SQUINT) To look with the eyes partly closed, as in bright sunlight, or as a threatening expression.

   The children squinted to frighten each other.

   Category:English terms with usage examples#SQUINT

   • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:

     “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; […]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

     Category:English terms with quotations#SQUINT

4. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#SQUINT) To look or glance sideways.

   Synonym: skew

6. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#SQUINT) To look with, or have eyes that are turned in different directions; to suffer from strabismus.
7. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#SQUINT, figurative) To have an indirect bearing, reference, or implication; to have an allusion to, or inclination towards, something.
   • 1887, The Forum:

     Yet if the following sentence means anything, it is a squinting toward hypnotism.

     Category:English terms with quotations#SQUINT

8. (intransitiveCategory:English intransitive verbs#SQUINT, ScotlandCategory:Scottish English#SQUINT) To be not quite straight, off-centred; to deviate from a true line; to run obliquely.
9. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#SQUINT) To turn to an oblique position; to direct obliquely.

   to squint an eyeCategory:English terms with usage examples#SQUINT

Noun

squint (plural squints)Category:English lemmas#SQUINTCategory:English nouns#SQUINTCategory:English countable nouns#SQUINTCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#SQUINTCategory:Pages with entries#SQUINTCategory:Pages with 1 entry#SQUINT

1. An expression in which the eyes are partly closed.
2. The look of eyes which are turned in different directions, as in strabismus.

   He looks handsome although he's got a slight squint.Category:English terms with usage examples#SQUINT

4. (informalCategory:English informal terms#SQUINT) A quick or sideways glance; a short look; a peep.
   • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 12: The Cyclops]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:

     —And here she is, says Alf, that was giggling over the Police Gazette with Terry on the counter, in all her warpaint.
     —Give us a squint at her, says I.

     Category:English terms with quotations#SQUINT

   • 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:

     "Better have a squint yourself," suggested Horace, withdrawing his implement and resigning the position. "Listening posts are more in your line by all accounts, inspector."

     Category:English terms with quotations#SQUINT

     Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned
5. A hagioscope.
6. (radio transmission) The angle by which the transmission signal is offset from the normal of a phased array antenna.
7. (architectureCategory:en:Architecture#SQUINT) An opening, often arched, through an internal wall of a church, providing an oblique view of the altar.

Adjective

squintCategory:English lemmas#SQUINTCategory:English adjectives#SQUINTCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#SQUINTCategory:Pages with entries#SQUINTCategory:Pages with 1 entry#SQUINT

1. Looking obliquely; having the vision distorted.
2. (ScotlandCategory:Scottish English#SQUINT) askew, not level

Related terms

• cross-eyed

Anagrams

• quints