ˈskwil noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin squilla, scilla, from Greek skilla
1.
a.
(1) : a bulbous herb ( Urginea maritima ) of southern Europe and northern Africa that is sometimes grown in gardens for its long racemes of small white flowers — called also sea onion ; see red squill
(2) : any of several other plants of the genus Urginea
(3) : the bulbs of a squill (especially U. maritima )
b. : a plant of the genus Scilla
2.
a. : the cut and dried fleshy inner scales of the bulb of the white-rooted form of the squill ( Urginea maritima ) or of the younger bulb of a related plant ( U. indica ) of the Orient that contain one or more physiologically active glycosides and are used as an expectorant, cardiac stimulant, and diuretic
b. : red squill 2
3.
[New Latin Squilla ]
: a crustacean of the genus Squilla