[syn: compress, constrict, squeeze, compact, contract, press]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Squeeze \Squeeze\ (skw[=e]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squeezed
(skw[=e]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Squeezing.] [OE. queisen, AS.
cw[=e]san, cw[=y]san, cw[imac]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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to
harass; to crush.
[1913 Webster]
In a civil war, people must expect to be crushed and
squeezed toward the burden. --L'Estrange.
[1913 Webster]
3. To force, or cause to pass, by compression; often with
out, through, etc.; as, to squeeze water through felt.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To compress; hug; pinch; gripe; crowd.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Squeeze \Squeeze\, v. i.
To press; to urge one's way, or to pass, by pressing; to
crowd; -- often with through, into, etc.; as, to squeeze hard
to get through a crowd.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Squeeze \Squeeze\, n.
1. The act of one who squeezes; compression between bodies;
pressure.
[1913 Webster]
2. A facsimile impression taken in some soft substance, as
pulp, from an inscription on stone.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Mining) The gradual closing of workings by the weight of
the overlying strata.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
4. Pressure or constraint used to force the making of a gift,
concession, or the like; exaction; extortion; as, to put
the squeeze on someone. [Colloq.]
One of the many "squeezes" imposed by the mandarins.
--A. R.
Colquhoun.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
squeeze
n 1: the act of gripping and pressing firmly; "he gave her cheek
a playful squeeze" [syn: squeeze, squeezing]
2: a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to
businesses and consumers and interest rates are high [syn:
credit crunch, liquidity crisis, squeeze]
3: a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to
the customer; "increased expenses put a squeeze on profits"
4: (slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend; "she was his main
squeeze"
5: a twisting squeeze; "gave the wet cloth a wring" [syn:
squeeze, wring]
6: an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the
concentration or manipulation of power; "she laughed at this
sexual power play and walked away" [syn: power play,
squeeze play, squeeze]
7: a tight or amorous embrace; "come here and give me a big hug"
[syn: hug, clinch, squeeze]
8: the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through
a restricted space; "getting through that small opening was a
tight squeeze"
v 1: to compress with violence, out of natural shape or
condition; "crush an aluminum can"; "squeeze a lemon" [syn:
squash, crush, squelch, mash, squeeze]
2: press firmly; "He squeezed my hand"
3: squeeze like a wedge into a tight space; "I squeezed myself
into the corner" [syn: wedge, squeeze, force]
4: to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical,
moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in
the city"; "He squeezed her for information" [syn: coerce,
hale, squeeze, pressure, force]
5: obtain by coercion or intimidation; "They extorted money from
the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the
company boss"; "They squeezed money from the owner of the
business by threatening him" [syn: extort, squeeze,
rack, gouge, wring]
6: press or force; "Stuff money into an envelope"; "She thrust
the letter into his hand" [syn: thrust, stuff, shove,
squeeze]
7: squeeze tightly between the fingers; "He pinched her behind";
"She squeezed the bottle" [syn: pinch, squeeze, twinge,
tweet, nip, twitch]
8: squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with
fondness; "Hug me, please"; "They embraced"; "He hugged her
close to him" [syn: embrace, hug, bosom, squeeze]
9: squeeze or press together; "she compressed her lips"; "the
spasm contracted the muscle" [syn: compress, constrict,
squeeze, compact, contract, press]