Library / English Dictionary

SQUINT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("squint" is a kind of...):

look; looking; looking at (the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually)

Derivation:

squint (cross one's eyes as if in strabismus)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Abnormal alignment of one or both eyes

Synonyms:

squint; strabismus

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("squint" is a kind of...):

abnormalcy; abnormality (an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "squint"):

convergent strabismus; cross-eye; crossed eye; esotropia (strabismus in which one or both eyes turn inward toward the nose)

divergent strabismus; exotropia; walleye (strabismus in which one or both eyes are directed outward)

Derivation:

squint (be cross-eyed; have a squint or strabismus)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy

Example:

sidelong glances

Synonyms:

askance; askant; asquint; sidelong; squint; squint-eyed; squinty

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

indirect (not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cross one's eyes as if in strabismus

Example:

The children squinted so as to scare each other

Synonyms:

squinch; squint

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "squint" is one way to...):

grimace; make a face; pull a face (contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

squint (the act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed)

squinter (a person with strabismus)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Partly close one's eyes, as when hit by direct blinding light

Example:

The driver squinted as the sun hit his windshield

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "squint" is one way to...):

look (have a certain outward or facial expression)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be cross-eyed; have a squint or strabismus

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "squint" is one way to...):

look (perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

They squint up the hill

Derivation:

squint (abnormal alignment of one or both eyes)

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