squib

squib
—squibbish, adj.
/skwib/, n., v., squibbed, squibbing.
n.
1. a short and witty or sarcastic saying or writing.
2. Journalism. a short news story, often used as a filler.
3. a small firework, consisting of a tube or ball filled with powder, that burns with a hissing noise terminated usually by a slight explosion.
4. a firecracker broken in the middle so that it burns with a hissing noise but does not explode.
5. Australian. a coward.
6. an electric, pyrotechnic device for firing the igniter of a rocket engine, esp. a solid-propellant engine.
7. Obs. a mean or paltry fellow.
v.i.
8. to write squibs.
9. to shoot a squib.
10. to explode with a small, sharp sound.
11. to move swiftly and irregularly.
12. Australian.
a. to be afraid.
b. to flee; escape.
v.t.
13. to assail in squibs or lampoons.
14. to toss, shoot, or utilize as a squib.
[1515-25; orig. uncert.]

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • squib — [skwib] n. [prob. echoic] 1. a type of firecracker that burns with a hissing, spurting noise before exploding 2. a short, sharp, usually witty attack in words; lampoon 3. a short news item; filler vt., vi. squibbed, squibbing 1. to shoot off (a… …   English World dictionary

  • Squib — Squib, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Squibbed} (skw[i^]bd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Squibbing}.] To throw squibs; to utter sarcastic or severe reflections; to contend in petty dispute; as, to squib a little in debate. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • squib — squib·bery; squib·bish; squib; …   English syllables

  • Squib — (skw[i^]b), n. [OE. squippen, swippen, to move swiftly, Icel. svipa to swoop, flash, dart, whip; akin to AS. swipian to whip, and E. swift, a. See {Swift}, a.] 1. A little pipe, or hollow cylinder of paper, filled with powder or combustible… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • squib — [skwıb] n 1.) a small exploding ↑firework 2.) literary a short amusing piece of writing that attacks someone →damp squib at ↑damp1 (2) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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  • squib — [ skwıb ] noun count 1. ) a type of FIREWORK that explodes with a loud noise 2. ) AMERICAN a short piece of writing that is intended to be funny …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • squib — 1520s, short bit of sarcastic writing, witty scoff, of unknown origin. If the meaning small firework that burns with a hissing noise is the original one, the word might be imitative …   Etymology dictionary

  • squib — *libel, skit, lampoon, pasquinade …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • squib — ► NOUN 1) a small firework that hisses before exploding. 2) a short piece of satirical writing. ORIGIN of unknown origin; perhaps imitative of a small explosion …   English terms dictionary

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