— squeamishly , adv. — squeamishness , n.
/skwee"mish/ , adj.
1. fastidious or dainty.
2. easily shocked by anything slightly immodest; prudish.
3. excessively particular or scrupulous as to the moral aspect of things.
4. easily nauseated or disgusted: to get squeamish at the sight of blood.
[ 1400-50; late ME squemish, alter. (conformed to -ISH 1 ) of squemes, squaymes, alter. of squaymous escoymous; ulterior orig. uncert. ]
Syn. 1. modest. 3. finical, finicky, delicate, exacting.
Ant. 1-3. bold.