Now dial. Forms: 5 sqwynsy, 6 squynsie, 6– squinsy, 6–9 -sey, 7 squinsie, 7–8 squinzie, 7 -zy; 6–8 squincy, 6–7 squincie. [Reduced form of SQUINACY.]
1. Path. Quinsy; suppurative tonsillitis.
Silver squinsy (fig.): see SILVER sb. 21.
1499. Promp. Parv. (Pynson), Sqwynsy, sekenesse, squinancia.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, xxi. 14. In englyshe it is named the Squincy.
1551. Turner, Herbal (1568), 2. Walnuttes … are good to be laide to the Squynsie wyth rue & oyle.
1605. Holland, Sueton., 201. Alleadging for an excuse the Squinsie whereof hee was sicke.
1694. Westmacott, Script. Herb., 223. Wormwood leaves discuss Tumors and Wind particularly in the Squinsie.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v., Squincy, an Inflamation of the Throat. Ibid., s.v. Violet, A Sovereign Remedy against … the Squinsy.
1869–. in dial. glossaries (Lanc., Som., Devon).
2. A form or attack of this.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Esquinancia,… a squincie.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 301. Æschines, a Physitian of Athens, was wont to cure squinsies … with the ashes of a man or womans body burnt.
1688. Rokeby, Mem. (Surtees), 23. My sister Smithson is well recovered of a dangerous Squinsey which the doctor was afraid would have choked her.
1894. Hall Caine, Manxman, 280. He’d break your face with laughing if it was bursting itself with a squinsey.
† b. transf. A halter; a rope. Obs.–1
1629. Randolph, Jealous Lovers, III. xiv. Shall not we be suspected for the Murther, And choke with a hempen Squincy?
