squared /skweə r d/
1 ADJ Something that is squared has the shape of a square, or has a pattern of squares on it. □ Draw up a scale floor plan on squared paper, marking in the door opening and windows.
2 → see also square
squa re dance (square dances )
1 N‑COUNT A square dance is a traditional American dance in which sets of four couples dance together, forming a square at the beginning of the dance.
2 N‑COUNT A square dance is a social event where people dance square dances.
square|ly /skweə r li/
1 ADV [ADV with v] Squarely means directly or in the middle, rather than indirectly or at an angle. □ I kept the gun aimed squarely at his eyes.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If something such as blame or responsibility lies squarely with someone, they are definitely the person responsible. □ Responsibility for success or failure lies squarely with the Nigerians.
3 ADV [ADV with v] If you face something squarely , you face it directly, without trying to avoid it. □ The management committee have faced the situation squarely.
squa re mea l (square meals ) N‑COUNT A square meal is a meal which is big enough to satisfy you. □ They haven't had a square meal for four or five days.
Squa re Mi le
1 N‑PROPER The Square Mile is the part of London where many important financial institutions have their main offices.
2 → see also City
squa re roo t (square roots ) N‑COUNT The square root of a number is another number which produces the first number when it is multiplied by itself. For example, the square root of 16 is 4.
squash /skwɒ ʃ/ (squashes , squashing , squashed )
1 VERB If someone or something is squashed , they are pressed or crushed with such force that they become injured or lose their shape. □ [be V -ed + against , be V -ed prep] Robert was hurt when he was squashed against a fence by a car. □ Whole neighbourhoods have been squashed flat by shelling. □ [V n adj] She made clay models and squashed them flat again. [Also V n]
2 ADJ If people or things are squashed into a place, they are put or pushed into a place where there is not enough room for them to be. □ The stage is squashed into a small corner of the field.
3 N‑SING If you say that getting a number of people into a small space is a squash , you mean that it is only just possible for them all to get into it. [INFORMAL ] □ It all looked a bit of a squash as they squeezed inside the small hatchback.
4 VERB If you squash something that is causing you trouble, you put a stop to it, often by force. □ [V n] The troops would stay in position to squash the first murmur of trouble.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Squash is a game in which two players hit a small rubber ball against the walls of a court using rackets.
6 N‑VAR Squash is a drink made from fruit juice, sugar, and water. Squash is sold in bottles in a concentrated form to which you add water. [BRIT ] □ …a glass of orange squash.
7 N‑VAR A squash is one of a family of vegetables that have thick skin and soft or firm flesh inside.
squashy /skwɒ ʃi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Squashy things are soft and able to be squashed easily. □ …deep, squashy sofas.
squat /skwɒ t/ (squats , squatting , squatted )
1 VERB If you squat , you lower yourself towards the ground, balancing on your feet with your legs bent. □ [V ] We squatted beside the pool and watched the diver sink slowly down. □ [V + on ] He came over and squatted on his heels, looking up at the boys. ● PHRASAL VERB Squat down means the same as squat . □ [V P ] Albert squatted down and examined it. □ [V P prep] She had squatted down on her heels. ● N‑SING Squat is also a noun. □ He bent to a squat and gathered the puppies on his lap.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as squat , you mean they are short and thick, usually in an unattractive way. □ Eddie was a short squat fellow in his forties with thinning hair.
3 VERB People who squat occupy an unused building or unused land without having a legal right to do so. □ [V ] You can't simply wander around squatting on other people's property. □ [V n] They earn their living by squatting the land and sharecropping.
4 N‑COUNT A squat is an empty building that people are living in illegally, without paying any rent or any property tax. □ After returning from Paris, David moved to a squat in Brixton.
squat|ter /skwɒ tə r / (squatters ) N‑COUNT A squatter is someone who lives in an unused building without having a legal right to do so and without paying any rent or any property tax.
squaw /skwɔː / (squaws ) N‑COUNT In the past, people sometimes referred to a Native American Indian woman as a squaw . [OFFENSIVE ]
squawk /skwɔː k/ (squawks , squawking , squawked )
1 VERB When a bird squawks , it makes a loud harsh noise. □ [V ] I threw pebbles at the hens, and that made them jump and squawk. ● N‑COUNT Squawk is also a noun. □ A mallard suddenly took wing, rising steeply into the air with an angry squawk.
2 VERB If a person squawks , they complain loudly, often in a high-pitched, harsh tone. [INFORMAL ] □ [V that] Mr Arbor squawked that the deal was a double-cross. [Also V ]
squeak /skwiː k/ (squeaks , squeaking , squeaked )
1 VERB If something or someone squeaks , they make a short, high-pitched sound. □ [V ] My boots squeaked a little as I walked. □ [V adj] The door squeaked open. □ [V + with ] She squeaked with delight. ● N‑COUNT Squeak is also a noun. □ He gave an outraged squeak.