[squeeze] vb squeezed ; squeez.ing [alter. of obs. E quease, fr. ME queysen, fr. OE cwysan; akin to Icel kveisa stomach cramps] vt (ca. 1601) 1 a: to exert pressure esp. on opposite sides of: compress b: to extract or emit under pressure c: to force or thrust by compression
2. a (1): to get by extortion (2): to deprive by extortion b: to cause economic hardship to c: to reduce the amount of "~s profits"
3: to crowd into a limited area
4: to gain or win by a narrow margin
5: to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6: to score by means of a squeeze play ~ vi 1: to give way before pressure
2: to exert pressure; also: to practice extortion or oppression
3: to force one's way "~ through a door"
4: to pass, win, or get by narrowly -- squeez.abil.i.ty n -- squeez.able adj -- squeez.er n
[2]squeeze n (1611) 1 a: an act or instance of squeezing: compression b: handclasp; also: embrace
2. a: a quantity squeezed out from something "a ~ of lemon" b: a group crowded together: crowd
3: a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions
4: a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or by shortages
5: a forced discard in bridge
6: squeeze play
7. slang: main squeeze