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squatness - v., adj., & n. --v. (squatted, squatting)
1 intr. a crouch with the hams resting on the backs of the heels. b sit on the ground etc. with the knees drawn up and the heels close to or touching the hams.
2 tr. put (a person) into a squatting position.
3 intr. colloq. sit down.
4 a intr. act as a squatter. b tr. occupy (a building) as a squatter.
5 intr. (of an animal) crouch close to the ground. --adj. (squatter, squattest)
1 (of a person etc.) short and thick, dumpy.
2 in a squatting posture. --n. 1 a squatting posture.
2 a a place occupied by a squatter or squatters. b being a squatter. squatly adv. squatness n. [ME f. OF esquatir flatten f. es- EX-(1) + quatir press down, crouch ult. f. L coactus past part. of cogere compel: see COGENT] |
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