Squab

Squab
Squab Squab, n. 1. (Zo["o]l.) A nestling of a pigeon or other similar bird, esp. when very fat and not fully fledged. [1913 Webster]

2. A person of a short, fat figure. [1913 Webster]

Gorgonious sits abdominous and wan, Like a fat squab upon a Chinese fan. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

3. A thickly stuffed cushion; especially, one used for the seat of a sofa, couch, or chair; also, a sofa. [1913 Webster]

Punching the squab of chairs and sofas. --Dickens. [1913 Webster]

On her large squab you find her spread. --Pope. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • squab — squab·ber; squab·bing; squab·bish; squab·bler; squab·bly; squab·by; squab; squab·ble; …   English syllables

  • Squab — Squab, adv. [Cf. dial. Sw. sqvapp, a word imitative of a splash, and E. squab fat, unfledged.] With a heavy fall; plump. [Vulgar] [1913 Webster] The eagle took the tortoise up into the air, and dropped him down, squab, upon a rock. L Estrange.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Squab — (skw[o^]b), a. [Cf. dial. Sw. sqvabb a soft and fat body, sqvabba a fat woman, Icel. kvap jelly, jellylike things, and E. quab.] 1. Fat; thick; plump; bulky. [1913 Webster] Nor the squab daughter nor the wife were nice. Betterton. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Squab — Squab, v. i. To fall plump; to strike at one dash, or with a heavy stroke. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Squab — can mean either * A young domestic pigeon * The meat from such a bird i.e. Squab (food) * A cushion for a chair or couch …   Wikipedia

  • squab — 1680s, very young bird, earlier (1630s) unformed, lumpish person and used at various times for any sort of flabby mass from sea slugs to sofa cushions; probably from a Scandinavian word (Cf. dialectal Swed. skvabb loose or fat flesh, skvabba fat… …   Etymology dictionary

  • squab — ► NOUN 1) a young unfledged pigeon. 2) Brit. the padded back or side of a vehicle seat. 3) a thick cushion, especially one covering the seat of a chair or sofa. ORIGIN originally in the sense «inexperienced person»: of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • squab — [skwäb] n. [prob. < Scand, as in Swed sqvabb, loose flesh] 1. a nestling pigeon, still unfledged 2. a short, stout person 3. Chiefly Brit. a) a thick cushion b) a sofa or couch adj. 1 …   English World dictionary

  • squab|by — «SKWOB ee», adjective, bi|er, bi|est. short and stout; squat; thick set …   Useful english dictionary

  • squab — noun (plural squabs) Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabb loose, fat flesh Date: 1664 1. a. couch b. a cushion for a chair or couch 2. or plural squab a fledgling bird; specifically a fledgling pigeon about… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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