[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
1. The state of being affected with nausea or qualms; sickishness.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, II. (Sommer), 165. Mopsa … at the first for squeamishnes going vp & downe, with her head like a boate in a storme.
1655. Culpepper, etc., trans. Riverius, I. vii. 30. These are forerunners of our Epilepsy; disdain of meat, or immoderate Appetite, Squeamishness, heart-burning.
1692. E. Walker, trans. Epictetus, Mor., xxxv. You should consider … Whether that Squeamishness you can forget, That makes you keep an Almanack for Meat.
1756. C. Smart, trans. Horace, Sat., II. ii. (1827), II. 79. When exercise has worked off your squeamishness, dry and hungry, then let me see you despise mean viands.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), I. 359. Pains in the stomach, nausea, squeamishness.
1878. J. MacGregor, in F. Balfour, Life (1912), xi. 331. We had a desperately rough passage, which in spite of one day’s squeamishness I greatly enjoyed.
b. Const. of (the stomach). Also fig.
1648. Gage, West Ind., 102. The women of that City it seems pretend much weaknesse and squemishnesse of stomach.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 286, ¶ 1. A good Constitution appears in the Soundness and Vigour of the Parts, not in the Squeamishness of the Stomach.
1715. trans. Pancirollus’ Memor. Things, I. Pref. 6. A voluminous Paraphrase not agreeing with the squeamishness of an Oxford Stomach.
† 2. a. Disdainfulness; haughty reserve. Obs.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Desdaing, disdaine, despite, squeamishnesse.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Boutique, A prouerbe taxing th’ enuie, or squeamishnesse of cunning Artists, who … conceale from the world their excellent gifts.
1647. Hexham, I. Squaimishnesse, verachtinge.
† b. Modest reserve or coyness. Obs.–1
1720. Mrs. Manley, Power of Love (1741), I. 41. If her Vertue and Squeamishness should reject the Offers of his Heart.
3. The quality or condition of being highly or excessively fastidious or dainty in some respect.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 261. It being a Squeamishnesse to forbeare satisfying his Appetite … because somewhat may be wanting in some Dishes Preparation.
1693. Apol. Clergy Scotl., 106. A Fanatick Squeamishness that will not allow the Title of Doctor to any Clergy Man.
1711. Countrey-Man’s Lett. to Curat, 58. They address’d His Majesty, and Roundly Condemn’d the Bishops for their Squeamishness.
1782. Miss Burney, Cecilia, VI. iv. Now pray speak the truth without squeamishness.
1839. Dickens, Nickleby, xvi. I have undergone too much … to feel pride or squeamishness now.
1885. Law Times, LXXIX. 223/2. The squeamishness of certain judges has contributed not a little to the result.
