squint
squint Lexical Profile
squint Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To look or peer with the eyes partly closed, as in bright sunlight or in an effort to see more clearly.
"He had to squint against the dazzling glare of the afternoon sun on the water."
To have eyes that look in different directions; to suffer from strabismus.
"The infant appeared to squint slightly during the first few months before his vision stabilized."
• noun
An act of looking with the eyes partly closed, or a facial expression characterized by narrowed eyelids.
"With a puzzled squint, she leaned closer to decipher the faded handwriting on the map."
British A visual disorder in which the eyes do not align properly in the same direction when looking at an object; strabismus.
"The pediatric optometrist prescribed corrective glasses to treat the child's mild squint."
An oblique slit or opening cut through an interior wall of a medieval church, allowing congregation members in the transept or aisle to view the high altar; a hagioscope.
"The medieval parish church still preserves a narrow stone squint carved beside the chancel arch."
• adjective
Looking obliquely or having eyes that are partly closed or misaligned.
"The portrait captured the old sailor's weathered face and slightly squint gaze."
Scottish Not straight or level; crooked, askew, or slanted.
"Wait a second, the picture frame on the living room wall is hanging a bit squint."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'squint' primarily means to peer through partly closed eyelids, whereas in British English and medical contexts, a 'squint' often refers to strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes).
• Rhymes for squint
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to the late 16th century, 'squint' evolved as an aphetic shortening of the earlier adverb and adjective 'asquint' (meaning 'looking obliquely'), which is probably of Dutch or Low German origin (compare Dutch 'schuinte', meaning 'a slant' or 'slope').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.