释义 |
squib I. \ˈskwib\ noun (-s) Etymology: origin unknown 1. a. : a small firecracker b. : a broken firecracker the powder in which burns with a fizz 2. a. (1) : a small electric or pyrotechnic device used to ignite a charge (2) : a similar device to fire an igniter in a rocket b. : a small explosive charge used to fire a larger one : detonator 3. a. : a short humorous, satiric, or lampooning writing or speech < the subject of … some extremely ribald versified squibs — R.O.Altick > b. : a short carelessly written piece : scribble < continued to send squibs of one sort or another to the newspapers — J.W.Krutch > c. : filler 1d(1) < his deeds and misdeeds hardly would have rated a squib among the used-car ads — Newsweek > 4. chiefly Britain : an insignificant or cowardly person II. verb (squibbed ; squibbed ; squibbing ; squibs) intransitive verb 1. : to speak, write, or publish squibs : dispute pettily 2. : to fire or squirt a squib transitive verb 1. a. : to utter in an offhand manner b. : to make squibs against : lampoon 2. : to shoot off : fire |