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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Squeeze \Squeeze\ (skw[=e]z), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Squeezed} (skw[=e]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Squeezing}.] [OE. queisen, AS. cw[=e]san, cw[=y]san, cw[=i]san, of uncertain origin. The s- was probably prefixed through the influence of squash, v.t.]
1. To press between two bodies; to press together closely; to compress; often, to compress so as to expel juice, moisture, etc.; as, to squeeze an orange with the fingers; to squeeze the hand in friendship.
2. Fig.: To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to harass; to crush.
In a civil war, people must expect to be crushed and squeezed toward the burden. --L'Estrange.
3. To force, or cause to pass, by compression; often with out, through, etc.; as, to squeeze water through felt.
Syn: To compress; hug; pinch; gripe; crowd.
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
46 Moby Thesaurus words for "squeezed": badly off, clamped, compressed, concentrated, condensed, consolidated, constricted, contracted, cramped, distressed, down to bedrock, embarrassed, feeling the pinch, hard up, ill off, impecunious, in Queer Street, in narrow circumstances, in reduced circumstances, in straitened circumstances, knitted, land-poor, narrow, nipped, on the edge, out of pocket, pinched, pinched-in, poor, poorly off, puckered, pursed, reduced, short, short of cash, short of funds, short of money, solidified, straitened, strangled, strangulated, strapped, unmoneyed, unprosperous, wasp-waisted, wrinkled
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |