squinsy 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 n. 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. 1606 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? |