— squatly , adv. — squatness , n.
/skwot/ , v. , squatted or squat, squatting , adj., squatter, squattest , n.
v.i.
1. to sit in a low or crouching position with the legs drawn up closely beneath or in front of the body; sit on one's haunches or heels.
2. to crouch down or cower, as an animal.
3. to settle on or occupy property, esp. otherwise unoccupied property, without any title, right, or payment of rent.
4. to settle on public land under government regulation, in order to acquire title.
5. Naut. (of a vessel, esp. a power vessel) to draw more water astern when in motion forward than when at rest.
v.t.
6. to cause to squat.
7. to occupy (property) as a squatter.
adj.
8. (of a person, animal, the body, etc.) short and thickset.
9. low and thick or broad: The building had a squat shape.
10. seated or being in a squatting position; crouching.
n.
11. the act or fact of squatting.
12. a squatting position or posture.
13. Naut. the tendency of a vessel to draw more water astern when in motion than when stationary.
14. Slang. doodly-squat.
15. a place occupied by squatters.
[ 1250-1300; (v.) ME squatten esquater, esquatir, equiv. to es- EX- 1 + quatir coactire to compress, equiv. to L coact ( us ), ptp. of cogere to compress ( co- CO- + ag ( ere ) to drive + -tus ptp. suffix) + -ire inf. suffix; (n.) ME, deriv. of the v.; (adj.) ME: in a squatting position, orig., ptp. of the v. ]
Syn. 8. dumpy, stocky, square.