I. ˈskwäb also -wȯb noun
( -s ; see sense 1 )
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabb, kvabb anything soft and thick, Norwegian dialect skvabb paplike mass; probably akin to Old Saxon quappa eelpout, Old Bulgarian žaba toad
1. or plural squab : a fledgling bird ; specifically : a fledgling pigeon that is about four weeks old and weighs about one pound
the menu featured squabs en casserole
2. : one that resembles a squab ; especially : a short fat person
3.
a. : couch
b. : a removable cushion used especially in a chair or couch seat
c. chiefly Britain : the back part of an automobile seat
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a squab:
a.
(1) : dumpy , squat
his squab white figure stopped growing at fat puppyhood — Haldane Macfall
(2) : broad , thick
a squab nose
b. : unfledged
2. obsolete : curt , sharp
III. verb
( squabbed ; squabbed ; squabbing ; squabs )
Etymology: probably from squab (I)
transitive verb
1. dialect Britain : crush , squash
2. : to fill with stuffing (as a cushion)
intransitive verb
dialect Britain : to squat down
IV. adverb
: plump
V. verb
Etymology: perhaps from squab (III)
: slop , spill