squash

¹squash

verb \ˈskwäsh, ˈskwȯsh\

Definition of SQUASH

transitive verb

1

: to press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass : crush

2

: put down, suppress <squash a revolt>

intransitive verb

1

: to flatten out under pressure or impact

2

: to proceed with a splashing or squelching sound <squash through the mud>

3

: squeeze, press

— squash·er noun

Examples of SQUASH

1. He squashed his nose against the window.
2. His poor performance squashed any hope he had of a promotion.
3. The boss squashed my idea immediately.
4. Someone had squashed all the ribbons together in one box.

Origin of SQUASH

alteration of Middle English squachen to crush, annul, from Anglo-French esquacher, from Old French es- ex- + quachier to hide from view, from Vulgar Latin *coacticare to press together — more at cache

First Known Use: 1565

Related to SQUASH

Synonyms

mash, pulp, crush

Related Words

press, squeeze; beat, pound, powder, pulverize

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up); advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Rhymes with SQUASH

bosh, cosh, Foch, frosh, gosh, gouache, josh, mâche, mosh, nosh, posh, quash, slosh, swash, tosh, wash

²squash

noun

Definition of SQUASH

1

obsolete : something soft and easily crushed; specifically : an unripe pod of peas

2

: the sudden fall of a heavy soft body or the sound of such a fall

3

: squelch 1

4

: a crushed mass

5

British : sweetened citrus fruit juice often served with added soda water

6

: a singles or doubles game played in a 4-wall court with a long-handled racket and a rubber ball that can be hit off any number of walls

First Known Use of SQUASH

1590

³squash

adverb

Definition of SQUASH

: with a squash or a squashing sound

First Known Use of SQUASH

1766

⁴squash

noun

plural squash·es or squash

Definition of SQUASH

: any of various fruits of plants (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family widely cultivated as vegetables; also : a plant and especially a vine that bears squashes — compare summer squash, winter squash

Origin of SQUASH

by shortening & alteration from earlier isquoutersquash, from Narragansett askútasquash

First Known Use: 1634

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

squash

noun \ˈskwäsh, ˈskwȯsh\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SQUASH

: a bit of tissue crushed between a slide and cover glass and stained in situ especially for cytological study of chromosomes

squash

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of various fruits of the genus Cucurbita in the gourd family, widely cultivated as vegetables and for livestock feed. The principal species are C. maxima and certain varieties of C. pepo. Summer squash is a quick-growing, small-fruited, nontrailing or bush type of C. pepo. Diverse in form, colour, and surface texture, the fruits do not store well and must be used soon after harvest (see zucchini). Winter varieties of squash, C. maxima, are long-vining, generally large-fruited, long-season types. Harvested fruits, in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours, can be stored many months if kept dry and well above freezing. The rinds are harder than those of summer squash and usually inedible. Examples include acorn squash and pumpkin. Native to the Americas, squash was widely cultivated by American Indians before Europeans arrived.