squeeze
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
First attested around 1600, probably an alteration of quease (which is attested since 1550), from Old English cwysan (“to squeeze”), of unknown origin, perhaps imitative (compare German quetschen (“to squeeze”)). The slang expression "to put the squeeze on (someone or something)", meaning "to exert influence", is from 1711. The baseball term "squeeze play" is first recorded 1905. "Main squeeze" ("most important person") is attested from 1896, the specific meaning "one's sweetheart, lover" is attested by 1980.
Pronunciation [edit]
Verb [edit]
squeeze (third-person singular simple present squeezes, present participle squeezing, simple past and past participle squeezed)
- (transitive) To apply pressure to from two or more sides at once
- I squeezed the ball between my hands.
- Please don't squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle.
- 1922, Virginia Woolf, Jacob's Room Chapter 1
- "Over there—by the rock," Steele muttered, with his brush between his teeth, squeezing out raw sienna, and keeping his eyes fixed on Betty Flanders's back.
- (transitive) To fit into a tight place
- I managed to squeeze the car into that parking space.
- 2010 December 29, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0 - 1 Wolverhampton”, BBC:
- 1908, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
- (transitive) To remove something with difficulty, or apparent difficulty
- He squeezed some money out of his wallet.
- (transitive) To put in a difficult position by presenting two or more choices
- I'm being squeezed between my job and my volunteer work.
- (transitive, baseball) To attempt to score a runner from third by bunting
- Jones squeezed in Smith with a perfect bunt.
Derived terms [edit]
terms derived from the verb "squeeze"
Translations [edit]
to apply pressure to from two or more sides at once
to fit into a tight place
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to remove something with difficulty, or apparent difficulty
to put in a difficult position by presenting two or more choices
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
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Noun [edit]
squeeze (plural squeezes)
- A difficult position
- I'm in a tight squeeze right now when it comes to my free time.
- A traversal of a narrow passage
- It was a tight squeeze, but I got through to the next section of the cave.
- A hug or other affectionate grasp
- a gentle squeeze on the arm
- (slang) A romantic partner
- I want to be your main squeeze
- (baseball) The act of bunting in an attempt to score a runner from third
- The game ended in exciting fashion with a failed squeeze.
- (epigraphy) An impression of an inscription formed by pressing wet paper onto the surface and peeling off when dry.
- The light not being good enough for photography, I took a squeeze of the stone.
- (card games) A play that forces an opponent to discard a card that gives up one or more tricks.
- (archaic) esp. (China) A bribe or middleman's fee. From Chinese.
Translations [edit]
difficult position
a traversal a narrow passage
hug or other affectionate grasp
baseball: the act of bunting in an attempt to score a runner from third
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
