I. ˈskwib noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1.
a. : a small firecracker
b. : a broken firecracker the powder in which burns with a fizz
2.
a.
(1) : a small electric or pyrotechnic device used to ignite a charge
(2) : a similar device to fire an igniter in a rocket
b. : a small explosive charge used to fire a larger one : detonator
3.
a. : a short humorous, satiric, or lampooning writing or speech
the subject of … some extremely ribald versified squibs — R.O.Altick
b. : a short carelessly written piece : scribble
continued to send squibs of one sort or another to the newspapers — J.W.Krutch
c. : filler 1d(1)
his deeds and misdeeds hardly would have rated a squib among the used-car ads — Newsweek
4. chiefly Britain : an insignificant or cowardly person
II. verb
( squibbed ; squibbed ; squibbing ; squibs )
intransitive verb
1. : to speak, write, or publish squibs : dispute pettily
2. : to fire or squirt a squib
transitive verb
1.
a. : to utter in an offhand manner
b. : to make squibs against : lampoon
2. : to shoot off : fire