Squat
Squat (skwot) , noun
(Zoology) The angel fish (Squatina angelus).
Squat , intransitive verb
[Old English squatten to crush, Old French esquater, esquatir (compare Italian quatto squat, cowering), perhaps from Latin ex + coactus, past participle of cogere to drive or urge together. See Cogent, Squash, transitive verb]
1.
To sit down upon the hams or heels; as, the savages squatted near the fire.
2.
To sit close to the ground; to cower; to stoop, or lie close, to escape observation, as a partridge or rabbit.
3.
To settle on another's land without title; also, to settle on common or public lands.
Squat , transitive verb
To bruise or make flat by a fall. [Obsolete]
Squat , adjective
1.
Sitting on the hams or heels; sitting close to the ground; cowering; crouching.
Him there they found,
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve.
2.
Short and thick, like the figure of an animal squatting.
The round, squat turret.
The head [of the squill insect] is broad and squat.
Squat , noun
1.
The posture of one that sits on his heels or hams, or close to the ground.
2.
A sudden or crushing fall. [Obsolete] — Herbert
3.
(a) (Mining) A small vein of ore.
(b)
(Mining) A mineral consisting of tin ore and spar. — Halliwell
Collocations (1)
Squat snipe (Zoology) , the jacksnipe; -- called also squatter. [Local, United States]