Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Squeeze \Squeeze\, n.
1. (Mining) The gradual closing of workings by the weight of
the overlying strata.
2. Pressure or constraint used to force the making of a gift,
concession, or the like; exaction; extortion. [Colloq.]
One of the many ``squeezes'' imposed by the
mandarins. --A. R.
Colquhoun.
Squeeze \Squeeze\, v. i.
To press; to urge one's way, or to pass, by pressing; to
crowd; -- often with through, into, etc.; as, to squeeze hard
to get through a crowd.
Squeeze \Squeeze\, n.
1. The act of one who squeezes; compression between bodies;
pressure.
2. A facsimile impression taken in some soft substance, as
pulp, from an inscription on stone.
Squeeze \Squeeze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Squeezed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Squeezing}.] [OE. queisen, AS. cw[=e]san, cw[=y]san,
cw[=i]san, of uncertain origin. The s- was probably prefixed
through the influence of squash, v.t.]
1. To press between two bodies; to press together closely; to
compress; often, to compress so as to expel juice,
moisture, etc.; as, to squeeze an orange with the fingers;
to squeeze the hand in friendship.
2. Fig.: To oppress with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to
harass; to crush.
In a civil war, people must expect to be crushed and
squeezed toward the burden. --L'Estrange.
3. To force, or cause to pass, by compression; often with
out, through, etc.; as, to squeeze water through felt.
Syn: To compress; hug; pinch; gripe; crowd.
Source : WordNet®
squeeze
v 1: to compress with violence, out of natural shape or
condition; "crush an aluminum can"; "squeeze a lemon"
[syn: {squash}, {crush}, {squelch}, {mash}]
2: press firmly; "He squeezed my hand"
3: squeeze like a wedge into a tight space; "I squeezed myself
into the corner" [syn: {wedge}, {force}]
4: to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical,
moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job
in the city"; "He squeezed her for information" [syn: {coerce},
{hale}, {pressure}, {force}]
5: obtain by coercion or intimidation; "They extorted money
from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to
the company boss"; "They squeezed money from the owner of
the business by threatening him" [syn: {extort}, {rack}, {gouge},
{wring}]
6: press or force; "Stuff money into an envelope"; "She thrust
the letter into his hand" [syn: {thrust}, {stuff}, {shove}]
7: squeeze tightly between the fingers; "He pinched her
behind"; "She squeezed the bottle" [syn: {pinch}, {twinge},
{tweet}, {nip}, {twitch}]
8: hug, usually with fondness; "Hug me, please"; "They
embraced" [syn: {embrace}, {hug}, {bosom}]
9: squeeze or press together; "she compressed her lips"; "the
spasm contracted the muscle" [syn: {compress}, {constrict},
{compact}, {contract}, {press}]
squeeze
n 1: the act of gripping and pressing firmly; "he gave her cheek
a playful squeeze" [syn: {squeezing}]
2: a state in which there is a short supply of cash to lend to
businesses and consumers and interest rates are high [syn:
{credit crunch}, {liquidity crisis}]
3: a situation in which increased costs cannot be passed on to
the customer; "increased expenses put a squeeze on
profits"
4: (slang) a person's girlfriend or boyfriend; "she was his
main squeeze"
5: a twisting squeeze; "gave the wet cloth a wring" [syn: {wring}]
6: an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the
concentration or manipulation of power [syn: {power play},
{squeeze play}]
7: a tight or amorous embrace; "come here and give me a big
hug" [syn: {hug}, {clinch}]
8: the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or
through a restricted space; "getting through that small
opening was a tight squeeze"