adv. [f. prec.]

1

  † 1.  In a reserved or distant manner; coldly, disdainfully. Obs.

2

1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. lxxi. 15. Not to taste Gods goodnes lyghtly, and as it were squeymishly.

3

1580.  Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Par Mespris, disdainefullye, squemishly.

4

1598.  Hakluyt, Voy., I. I. 8. Squemishly, frowningly, or skornefully shunning the ragged and tattered sleeue of any suppliant.

5

1647.  Hexham, I. Squaimishly, verachtelick ofte onwaerdighlick.

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  2.  Fastidiously, delicately, daintily.

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1616.  B. Jonson, Masques, Wks. 91. Howsoeuer some may squemishly crie out.

8

a. 1670.  Hacket, Cent. Serm., 219. But I marvel at those expositors who are squemishly conceited against that opinion.

9

1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 498. If the plea of conscience was admitted … we should grow so squeamishly conscientious [etc.].

10

1782.  T. Warton, Rowley Enq., 70. The modern delicacy of the writer of the BATTLE OF HASTINGS, who thus squeamishly introduces this tale of Saxon perfidy:

        I tho a Saxon, yet the truth will telle.

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1838.  Dickens, Pickw., xxxi. If she had been less proudly and squeamishly brought up.

12

1845.  Campbell, Lives Chancellors (1857), V. cx. 148. Bolingbroke … squeamishly says: ‘The first regulation … is decency.’

13

  3.  With a tendency to nausea or sickness.

14

1843.  Le Fevre, Life Trav. Phys., III. i. III. 89. I sought my cot,… rolled about for an hour rather squeamishly, and then fell asleep.

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