squat
Pronunciation: (skwot), [key]
— v., adj., n. squat•ted squat, squat•ting, squat•ter, squat•test,
—v.i.
- to sit in a low or crouching position with the legs drawn up closely beneath or in front of the body; sit on one's haunches or heels.
- to crouch down or cower, as an animal.
- to settle on or occupy property, esp. otherwise unoccupied property, without any title, right, or payment of rent.
- to settle on public land under government regulation, in order to acquire title.
- (of a vessel, esp. a power vessel) to draw more water astern when in motion forward than when at rest.
—v.t.
- to cause to squat.
- to occupy (property) as a squatter.
—adj.
- (of a person, animal, the body, etc.) short and thickset.
- low and thick or broad: The building had a squat shape.
- seated or being in a squatting position; crouching.
—n.
- the act or fact of squatting.
- a squatting position or posture.
- the tendency of a vessel to draw more water astern when in motion than when stationary.
- doodly-squat.
- a place occupied by squatters.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.