Squat
WordNet
adjective
(1) Having a low center of gravity; built low to the ground
(2) Short and thick; as e.g. having short legs and heavy musculature
"Some people seem born to be square and chunky"
"A dumpy little dumpling of a woman"
"Dachshunds are long lowset dogs with drooping ears"
"A little church with a squat tower"
"A squatty red smokestack"
"A stumpy ungainly figure"
noun
(3) The act of assuming or maintaining a crouching position with the knees bent and the buttocks near the heels
(4) Exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles
(5) A small worthless amount
"You don't know jack"
verb
(6) Sit on one's heels
"In some cultures, the women give birth while squatting"
"The children hunkered down to protect themselves from the sandstorm"
(7) Occupy (a dwelling) illegally
(8) Be close to the earth, or be disproportionately wide
"The building squatted low"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from , from , perfect passive participle of .
Adjective
- Relatively short or low and thick or broad
- 1927, H. P. Lovecraft, The Colour Out of Space
- On the gentle slopes there are farms, ancient and rocky, with squat, moss-coated cottages brooding eternally over old New England secrets in the lee of great ledges
- 1927, H. P. Lovecraft, The Colour Out of Space
Noun
- A position assumed by bending deeply at the knees while resting on one's feet.
- 2006, Yael Calhoun & Matthew R. Calhoun, Create a Yoga Practice for Kids, page 72
- Sit in a squat, with your feet a comfortable distance apart.
- 2006, Yael Calhoun & Matthew R. Calhoun, Create a Yoga Practice for Kids, page 72
- : A specific exercise in weightlifting performed by bending deeply at the knees and then rising, especially with a barbell resting across the back.
- 2001, Robert Wolff, Robert Wolff's Book of Great Workouts, page 58-59
- The king of all quad exercises, and arguably the best single-weight resistance exercise, is the squat.
- 2001, Robert Wolff, Robert Wolff's Book of Great Workouts, page 58-59
- A toilet used by squatting as opposed to sitting (Wikipedia entry).
- A building occupied without permission, as practiced by a squatter.
- 1996, Chris Smith, "Live Free or Die", New York Magazine (8 Jul 2009), page 36
- "If you want to spend a night in a squat, it's all political to get in." Lately, as buildings have filled and become stringent about new admissions, much of the squatters' "My house is your house" rhetoric has become hollow.
- 1996, Chris Smith, "Live Free or Die", New York Magazine (8 Jul 2009), page 36
- Something of no value; nothing.
- I know squat about nuclear physics.
- 2003, "Dear Dotti", Weekly World News, vol. 24, no. 34 (May 6), page 23
- We didn't ask for rent, but we assumed they'd help around the house. But they don't do squat.
Verb
- To bend deeply at the knees while resting on one's feet.
- 1901, Miles Franklin, My Brilliant Career, chapter II
- He was not going to squat henlike on his place as the cockies around him did.
- 1901, Miles Franklin, My Brilliant Career, chapter II
- To exercise by bending deeply at the knees and then rising, while bearing weight across the shoulders or upper back.
- 1994, Kurt, Mike, & Brett Brungardt, The Complete Book of Butt and Legs, page 161
- For those who are having, or have had, trouble squatting we suggest learning how to squat by performing the front squatThe front squat allows you almost no alternative but to perform the exercise correctly.
- 1994, Kurt, Mike, & Brett Brungardt, The Complete Book of Butt and Legs, page 161
- To occupy without permission.
- 1890, Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives , chapter VII
- Huddled together in loathsome files, they squat there over night, or until an inquisitive policeman breaks up the congregation with his club, which in Mulberry Street has always free swing.
- 1890, Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives , chapter VII