Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Squinch \Squinch\, n. [Corrupted fr. sconce.] (Arch.)
   A small arch thrown across the corner of a square room to
   support a superimposed mass, as where an octagonal spire or
   drum rests upon a square tower; -- called also {sconce}, and
   {sconcheon}.

Source : WordNet®

squinch
     n : a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls
         (usually to support a spire)
     v 1: crouch down
     2: draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they
        showed the slaughtering of the calf" [syn: {flinch}, {funk},
         {cringe}, {shrink}, {wince}, {recoil}, {quail}]
     3: partly close one's eyes; "The children squinted to frighten
        each other" [syn: {squint}, {cross one's eyes}]