squeamishadj.adv.n.
/ˈskwiːmɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈskwimɪʃ/ I. Senses related to nausea or sickness.† 3. Apt to produce qualms; = qualmish adj. 3.
1. Readily affected with nausea; easily turned sick or faint; physically unable to support or swallow anything disagreeable.figurative.1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xxiii. §4. 570 Yet am I not so squeamish, that I can well enough digest a good Booke.1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber i. 9 As his Patron knew the Patient was squeamish, he was induc'd to sweeten the Medicine to his Taste.in extended use.a1677 I. Barrow Of Contentm. (1685) 125 Thou hast a squeamish conscience, which cannot relish this, cannot digest that advantageous course of proceeding.figurative.1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. ii. 363 The stomach of his Holinesse not being so squeamish, but that he would take a good almes from dirty hands.1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy IV. xxxii. 217 Nor do I value whose squeamish stomach takes offence at it.1843 J. R. Lowell Glance behind Curtain in Poems (1844) 85 But now the uneasy stomach of the time Turns squeamish at them both.
a. Of persons. †Also const. of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > digestive disorders > [adjective] > affected by nausea > of person
squeamishc1450
qualmish1548
wamble-cropped1552
wamble-stomached1552
qualming1576
queasy1579
queasy-stomached1579
kecklish1601
keckish1603
nauseous1613
nauseative1620
sick1631
sick at (or to, in) the stomach1653
vomiturient1666
sick as a horse1705
qualmyish1831
squeamy1838
qualmy1846
queachy1859
squalmish1867
wambly1872
ill1928
naar1969
sick as a parrot1979
c1450 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. (Bodl.) v. xlv And þerefor me schal not be squaymysch of vrine, for in many þinges it is profitable and leefe.
1584 R. Greene Arbasto 10 Art thou so squemish that thou canst not see wine, but thou must surfet?
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician vi. 164 Purging Potions, taken by squeamish Persons,..cause a Shivering.
1702 J. Gay Achilles iii She is so squeamish and so frequently out of order.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T125918) 5 For children and squeamish persons it may be made weaker.
1784 J. Douglas Cook's Voy. Pacific II. iii. x. 186 We found that he was too squeamish to drink turtle's blood.
b. Of the stomach.
ΚΠ
1620 T. Venner Via Recta ii. 152 It is very good for such as haue squamish & waterie stomacks.
a1707 S. Patrick Comm. 2 Sam. xiii. 5 He would have him pretend that his stomach was so nice and squeamish, that he would like nothing that his servants dressed.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists v. 258 Their squeamish stomachs sickened at the rough fare.
2. Slightly affected with nausea; sickish, qualmish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > digestive disorders > [adjective] > affected by nausea
qualmy1562
queasy1589
squeamish1660
vomiturient1666
qualmish1675
squeamy1838
1660 S. Pepys Diary 7 Apr. (1970) I. 104 This day..the wind grew high; and..I begin to be dizzy and squeamish.
1689 Muses Farew. Popery 81 When Satan was squeamish, and long'd for a Dainty, The Pope Fricasseed him this New Four-and-twenty.
1756 M. Calderwood Lett. & Jrnls. (1884) ii. 50 Then down I must go, and into bed as soon as possible, very very squeamish. I could not keep my feet in the cabin.
1817 J. Evans Excursion to Windsor 485 Passed the North Foreland with a little swell, and most of the passengers were squeamish.
1887 Poor Nellie (1888) 411 You're feeling squeamish, I see, so take my advice and have a brandy-and-soda.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > digestive disorders > [adjective] > affected by nausea > causing nausea
loathsome1398
squeamisha1571
nauseous1618
nauseating1645
sickish1727
qualmish1827
stomach-churning1899
gut-wrenching1972
yuck-making1972
a1571 J. Jewel Serm. i, in Wks. (1611) 974 When they had manna in their mouths, they thought it a loathsome and a squeamish meat.
4. Characterized by a sickish feeling. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > feeling ill
squeamish1670
howish1694
sick as a horse1705
nohowish1816
all-overish1820
washed out1850
all-over1861
wisht1868
crappy1956
1670 J. Covel Diary in J. T. Bent Early Voy. Levant (1893) 102 Our Freshmen passengers were all in a miserable, squeamish, and puking condition.
1748 J. Thomson Castle of Indolence i. lxxvii Fast by her side a listless maiden pin'd, With aching head, and squeamish heart-burnings.
II. Senses relating to aversion or fastidiousness.† 5. Averse, unwilling, or backward to do something. Obsolete.absolute.1828 The Adventures of Doctor Comicus;..a Comic Satirical Poem, for the Squeamish and the Queer.† 10. † b. to make squeamish, to hesitate or shrink; to show dislike. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective]
argha1000
slowOE
unwillyc1200
sweera1300
unfain1338
loathc1374
dangerousc1386
eschewc1386
squeamous1387
obstinate?a1439
unpresta1500
ill-willing?1520
evil-willing1525
untowards1525
untowarda1530
unwilling1533
strange1548
ill-willed1549
dainty1553
relucting1553
squeamish?1553
nicea1560
loathful1561
coyish1566
coy1576
unhearty1583
costive1594
unready1595
tarrowinga1598
undisposed1597
involuntary1598
backward1600
retrograde1602
unpregnant1604
scrupulous1608
unprone1611
refractory1614
behindhanda1616
nilling1620
backwards1627
shya1628
retractable1632
reluctant1638
loughta1641
tendera1641
unapt1640
uninclinable1640
unbeteaming1642
boggling1645
averse1646
indisposed1646
aversant1657
incomposed1660
disinclined1703
unobliging1707
unconsenting1713
uninclined1729
tenacious1766
disinclinable1769
ill-disposed1771
unaffectioned1788
scruplesomec1800
back-handed1817
sweert1817
tharf1828
backward in coming forward1830
unvoluntary1834
misinclined1837
squeamy1838
balky1847
retractive1869
grudging1874
tharfish1876
unwishful1876
safety first1917
?1553 Respublica (1952) i. iii. 10 I shall tell Respublica ye can beste governe, bee not ye than skeymishe to take in hand the stern.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. viii. 17 Let none other meaner person..be any whit squeimish to let it be publisht vnder their names, for reason serues it, and modestie doth not repugne.
6. † b. Const. of: averse to being free or generous with (something). Obsolete.† c. Of actions, etc.: characterized by coldness or coyness. Obsolete.
a. Averse to freedom or familiarity of intercourse; distant, reserved, coy, cold.Also, in modern dialect, modest, bashful, diffident, shy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > emotionally detached
queamishc1430
squeamish1561
dry1637
unconcerned1660
inconcerned1688
aloof1872
stocky1876
detached1913
clinical1928
the mind > emotion > humility > modesty > shyness or bashfulness > [adjective]
shamefastc897
unboldc897
shamelya1100
squeamous1483
bashful1548
shamefaced1555
squeamish1561
retiring1566
chary1567
verecund1575
blatec1600
helo1611
shy1672
shuff1688
shyish1754
shanny1821
fawn-like1838
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > not affable
strange1338
estrangec1374
formal?1518
cold1557
squeamish1561
icy1567
buckrama1589
repulsive1598
starched1600
unaffable1603
stiff1608
withdrawing1611
reserved1612
aloof1639
cool1641
uncordial1643
inaffable1656
staunch1659
standfra1683
distant1710
starcha1716
distancing1749
pokerish1779
buckramed1793
angular1808
easeless1811
touch-me-not1817
starchy1824
standoffish1826
offish1827
poker-backed1830
standoff1837
stiffish1840
chilly1841
unapproachable1848
hedgehoggy1866
sticky1882
hard-to-get1899
stand-away1938
princesse lointaine1957
α.
β. 1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Desdaigneux, squemish, coye, disdainfull.1584 J. Lyly Sapho & Phao i. iv. 7 Proud elfe! how squeamish he is become alreadie, vsing both disdaineful lookes, And imperious words.1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster North-ward Hoe iv. sig. F4 A comely country mayd, not squeamish nor afraid, To let Gentlemen touch.c1665 in Roxburghe Ballads (1886) VI. 256 Virgins, take my advice, be not disdainful; Neither be coy and nice, squemish nor scornful.1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 115 A woman of virtue keeps a guard upon her eye, and yet don't affect to look soure, squeamish, and suspicious.in extended use.1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. Cj v As for Pallas, she is dainty, but not squemish, hard to be found, but easy to be intreated.in combination.1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. i. 195 Faire and soft, as squeamish-honest as she seemes,..conclude not rashly an inviolable chastitie to be in your Mistresse.1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Bb.iiiv This woman ought not therefore..[to] be so skeimish and make wise to abhorr both the companye and the talke.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Delicium Delicias facere, to make strange and dally, because he would be intreated: to be squaymish.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xix. sig. L8v Yet for countenance sake, he seemed very squeimish, in respect of the charge he had of the Princesse Pamela.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [adjective]
gnedec900
gripplea1000
fastOE
narrow-hearteda1200
narrow?c1225
straitc1290
chinchc1300
nithinga1325
scarcec1330
clama1340
hard1340
scantc1366
sparingc1386
niggardc1400
chinchy?1406
retentivea1450
niggardousa1492
niggish1519
unliberal1533
pinching1548
dry1552
nigh1555
niggardly1560
churlish1566
squeamish1566
niggardish1567
niggard-like1567
holding1569
spare1577
handfast1578
envious1580
close-handed1585
hard-handed1587
curmudgeonly1590
parsimonious?1591
costive1594
hidebound1598
penny-pinching1600
penurious1600
strait-handed1600
club-fisted1601
dry-fisted1604
fast-handed1605
fast-fingered1607
close-fisted1608
near1611
scanting1613
carkingc1620
illiberal1623
clutch-fisteda1634
hideboundeda1640
clutch-fista1643
clunch-fisted1644
unbounteous1645
hard-fisted1646
purse-bound1652
close1654
stingy1659
tenacious1676
scanty1692
sneaking1696
gripe-handed1698
narrow-souled1699
niggardling1704
snippy1727
unindulgent1742
shabby1766
neargoinga1774
cheesemongering1781
split-farthing1787
save-all1788
picked1790
iron-fisted1794
unhandsome1800
scaly1803
nearbegoing1805
tight1805
nippit1808
nipcheese1819
cumin-splitting1822
partan-handed1823
scrimping1823
scrumptious1823
scrimpy1825
meanly1827
skinny1833
pinchfisted1837
mean1840
tight-fisted1843
screwy1844
stinty1849
cheeseparing1857
skinflinty1886
mouly1904
mingy1911
cheapskate1912
picey1937
tight-assed1961
chintzy1964
tightwad1976
1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. xlvi. f. 274 The more she proued the king inflamed with her loue, the more squeymishe she was of her beautie.
1576 A. Fleming tr. M. Marcellus in Panoplie Epist. 37 You haue shewed your selfe..not squemish or deintie of your singular beneuolence.
a1625 J. Fletcher Womans Prize v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ppppp4/2 Petron. I think 'twere well you would see her. Row. If you please sir; I am not squeamish of my visitation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > [adjective] > hostile or unfriendly (of actions)
squeamish1577
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > not affable > specifically of manners, looks, etc.
moy1487
squeamish1577
reserved1605
repellent1776
repellant1780
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande i. f. 1 v/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I I was by them weighed not to beare my selfe coy, by giuing mine entier friendes in so reasonable a request a squaimish repulse.
1600 J. Lane Tom Tel-Troths Message (1876) 119 Some gogle with the eyes, some squint-eyd looke, Some at their fellowes, squemish sheepes-eyes cast.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. i. xx. 42 Their wanton, squeamish, quarellous countenances, which setting vs a fire, extinguish vs.
7. † b. Sensitive; shrinking from contact with anything rude or rough. Obsolete.
a. Readily offended by anything approaching immodesty or indecency; easily shocked; prudish.
ΚΠ
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Diiii Beecawse the syght should not abashe her shamefast maydens nether lothe her squamyshe syght.
1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin ii. v. 94 If the good Man blush'd,..he may be pardon'd for this once, being not so squeamish often.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xi. 71 Which the Maid readily promised to perform;..being..not so squeamish as the Lady. View more context for this quotation
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xvi ‘I'm not squeamish, sir,’ said Miss Augusta; ‘but it's dreadful to be shut up with a man who has no clothes on him’.
1858 N. Hawthorne French & Ital. Note-bks. I. 217 As to the nudities,..they might well have startled a not very squeamish eye.
1892 S. Baring-Gould Strange Survivals x. 220 Riddles more or less good, some coarse, and some profane; but the age was not squeamish.
ΚΠ
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 61 Sulphureous Matters that compose the Flowers..are soon devour'd by the open Air, which destroys those frail and squeamish Beauties.
1782 W. Cowper Poet, Oyster, & Sensitive Plant 55 And, as for you, my Lady Squeamish, Who reckon ev'ry touch a blemish.
1785 E. Burke Speech Nabob Arcot's Debts in Wks. (1792) II. 524 The person so squeamish, so timid, so trembling lest the winds of heaven should visit too roughly.
8. in combination.1581 J. Studley tr. Seneca Agamemnon (new ed.) iii, in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca 10 Trag. f. 153 Although as squemishe hearted men those priests in bedlem rage.
a. Sensitively or excessively fastidious, scrupulous, particular, or punctilious, with regard to standards of action or belief.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > excessively conscientious
scripulousc1443
overscrupulous1549
strait-laced1554
conscionable1559
squeamish1581
spice-conscienced1600
spice-consciencec1613
scrupulous1779
mealy-mouthed1809
1581 T. Newton in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca 10 Trag. Ded. And whereas it is by some squeymish Areopagites surmyzed that the reading of these Tragedies..cannot be digested without great danger [etc.].
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge ii. i. sig. C4 High honour'd blood's too squemish to assent, And lend a hand to an ignoble act.
1676 W. Allen Serious & Friendly Addr. Non-conformists 135 When they are nice, curious, and squeamish about undetermined circumstances in forms of administration.
1694 Ld. Delamere Wks. 93 Let then the high Church be more charitable, and the Dissenters less stiff and sweamish.
1724 R. Welton Substance Christian Faith 70 They were so squeamish upon the literal, and so loose and moderate in the moral sense.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued I. ii. 376 Another who had not the same squeamish disposition might have found enjoyments enow under general censure..to make life desirable.
1829 A. Cunningham Lives Brit. Painters i. 41 If Laud had not doated on trifles, and the Presbyterians had been squeamish about them.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 274 Where enthusiasts are ready..to be destroyed for trifles magnified into importance by a squeamish conscience.
1881 Scribner's Monthly 22 144 Some of the early American statesmen, doubtless, were not any too squeamish in their political maneuverings.
b. With prepositions, as about, as to, at, of.
ΚΠ
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 417 But I will not be so squemish about these trifles.
1582 Bible (Rheims) p. xx Why should we be squamish at newe wordes or phrases in the scripture which are necessarie.
a1660 Aphorismical Discov. in J. T. Gilbert Contemp. Hist. Ireland (1879) I. 276 Neuer squemishe of any your proceedings.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §3 Those whose minds are so coy and squeamish as to any thing of Divine revelation.
1865 Parl. Deb. 3rd Ser. 177 1619 They are not so squeamish as to what they say about us.
1872 E. Yates Castaway II. ii. vii I don't pretend..to be squeamish about such matters.
c. Marked or characterized by fastidiousness or scrupulousness.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > excessively conscientious > of conscience, scruples, etc.
spicedc1386
queasy1579
squeamish1593
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 93 All resteth vpon a case of conscience, as nice and squeamish a scruple [etc.].
a1658 J. Cleveland Wks. (1687) 99 Your Pen is coy, and you wave the Holy Ground and Holy Coyn with a squeamish Preterition.
1776 W. Cowper Let. 12 Nov. (1979) I. 265 You perceive I have not made a Squeamish Use of your obliging Offer.
1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller I. 10 In a bachelor's house..there is no lady to stand upon squeamish points about lodging gentlemen in old holes and corners.
1884 R. Browning Ferishtah's Fancies (1885) 73 So, with thy squeamish scruple.
9. Fastidious or dainty with respect to what one handles, uses, or comes in contact with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > fastidiousness > [adjective]
chisa700
estfula1000
esquaymous1303
squeamousc1325
overnicec1350
curiousc1380
dangerousc1386
delicatea1393
preciousc1395
nicec1400
skigc1400
over-delicatea1425
daintethc1430
ticklec1456
quaint1483
dauncha1500
pickinga1500
feat?1529
elegant?1533
queasy1545
fine1546
fine-fingered1549
fastidious?1555
fine-mouthed1559
chary1567
weamish1571
saucy1573
dainty1576
superfine1576
niced1577
overcurious1579
nicing1581
fineish1582
prick-me-dainty1583
daint1590
finical1592
tiptoe-nice1593
nice1594
nicking1598
choice1601
squeamish1608
marchpane1609
hypercritical1611
particular1616
finicking1661
overcritical1667
just so1696
penurious1703
fal-lal1747
ogertful1754
nackety1756
quiddling1789
pernickety1808
pershittie1808
taffety1814
hypercritic1820
faddy1824
finicky1825
meticulous1827
daintified1834
squeamy1838
picksome1855
choosey1862
picky1867
hyperaesthetic1879
persnickety1885
précieux1891
perskeet1897
tasty1905
Nice Nelly1922
perfectionist1942
snicketya1960
perfectionistic1968
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 275 If we would..not be so squeamish as to refuse those wholesome medicines which are easie to be had.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife iii. 27 I'll warrant it's some such squeamish Minx as my Wife, that's grown so dainty of late, she finds fault even with a Dirty shirt.
1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires ii. vi. 176 If delicacies could invite My squeamish courtier's appetite, Who turn'd his nose at every dish.
1801 M. Edgeworth Belinda II. xxii. 362 I have heard..that the passion of love, which can endure caprice, vice, [etc.] is notwithstanding so squeamish as to be instantaneously disgusted by the perception of folly in the object beloved.
1860 W. H. G. Kingston Pirate Medit. I. 12 He's the fellow to make your kid-glove wearing gentlemen dip their hands in the tar-bucket..if he sees they are in any way squeamish about it.
1871 L. Stephen Playground of Europe (1894) ix. 206 Our nerves..are unduly delicate, and our tastes too squeamish.
a. Having aversion or antipathy at or towards something. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > loathing or detestation > [adjective]
irk1303
wlatfula1387
squeamous1398
irksome1435
fastidiousa1535
loathsome1577
out of love (with)1577
squeamish1581
loathingc1595
sick1600
distastive1611
distastefula1616
detestant1650
distasting1654
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 249 b Beyng squeymish at Luthers speache.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 360 Squemish towards the present, and longing for Innovation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > show dislike [verb (intransitive)]
to make squeamish1611
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > be unwilling [verb (intransitive)]
nillOE
loathea1200
to make it tough1297
forthinka1300
reckc1300
ruea1400
to make (it) strangec1405
to make strangenessc1407
stick1418
resistc1425
to make (it) strange?1456
steek1478
tarrowc1480
doubt1483
sunyie1488
to make (it) nice1530
stay1533
shentc1540
to make courtesy (at)1542
to make it scrupulous1548
to think (it) much1548
to make dainty of (anything)1555
to lie aback1560
stand1563
steek1573
to hang back1581
erch1584
to make doubt1586
to hang the groin1587
to make scruple (also a, no, etc., scruple)1589
yearn1597
to hang the winga1601
to make squeamish1611
smay1632
bogglea1638
to hang off1641
waver1643
reluct1648
shy1650
reluctate1655
stickle1656
scruple1660
to make boggle1667
revere1689
begrudge1690
to have scruples1719
stopc1738
bitch1777
reprobate1779
crane1823
disincline1885
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. vii. xliii. 374/1 This great Oracle..made it not squemish to giue them this aduice.
a1617 P. Baynes Lectures 197 in Comm. First & Second Chapters Colossians (1634) If he [God] delight in us, what matter if the world make squemish of us?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.n.c1450