Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “squinting” come from?

Squinting derives from the English verb squint, which comes from the Middle English adverb asqweynt, of uncertain origin.

squinting (English): present participle of squint; The act of one who...

Definitions

  1. present participle of squint; The act of one who...

Ancestry of “squinting”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsquintTo look with the eyes partly closed, as in bright...
2EnglishasquintLooking sideways, as though warily; With narrowed...
3Middle Englishasquint—

Words derived from “squinting”

  • squintingly
Every word from Middle English asquint →