Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1829, 1943
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SQUAT, n., v. Also scot (Kcd.); swat (Dmf. 1915 D. J. Beattie Oor Gate-en' 9). Sc. forms and usages:
I. n. 1. A blow, buffet, slap, esp. as given by the open hand (Cld. 1825 Jam.); in pl., a spanking (Kcd. 1825 Jam., scots).
2. A jolt, jerk, sudden or violent movement. Also in n.Eng. dial.Cai. 1829 J. Hay Poems 13:
She turns her nose wi' sic a squat, There's nae agreein.
3. In comb. scaly-squat, a young lobster (Kcd. 1971), phs. a different word.Abd. 1943 W. S. Forsyth Guff o' Waur 12:
Scaly-squats and burns did creep — Wi' spines as sharp as preens.
II. v. To strike with the open hand, to smack, slap (Cld. 1825 Jam.; Kcd. 1921 T.S.D.C., Kcd. 1970. scot).
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"Squat n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/squat>
