squinch

squinch ¹  (skwnch)

n.

A structure, such as a section of vaulting or corbeling, set diagonally across the interior angle between two walls to provide a transition from a square to a polygonal or more nearly circular base on which to construct a dome.

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[Alteration of scuncheon, from Middle English sconchon, from Old French escoinson : es-, out of (from Latin ex-; see ex-) + coin, angle, wedge; see coin.]

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squinch ²  (skwnch)

tr.v. squinched, squinch·ing, squinch·es

To squeeze, twist, or draw together: squinched her eyes shut.

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[Alteration of squint.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	squinch - a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls (usually to support a spire) arch - (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it trumpet arch - a conical squinch
Verb	1.	squinch - crouch down crouch, stoop, bend, bow - bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse"
	2.	squinch - draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf" cringe, flinch, funk, quail, recoil, wince, shrink move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right" shrink back, retract - pull away from a source of disgust or fear
	3.	squinch - cross one's eyes as if in strabismus; "The children squinted so as to scare each other" squint grimace, make a face, pull a face - contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state; "He grimaced when he saw the amount of homework he had to do"