Squeam"ish*ness

Squeamish \Squeam"ish\ (skw[=e]m"[i^]sh), a. [OE. squaimous,
   sweymous, probably from OE. sweem, swem, dizziness, a
   swimming in the head; cf. Icel. sveimr a bustle, a stir,
   Norw. sveim a hovering about, a sickness that comes upon one,
   Icel. svimi a giddiness, AS. sw[imac]ma. The word has been
   perhaps confused with qualmish. Cf. {Swim} to be dizzy.]
   Having a stomach that is easily turned or nauseated; hence,
   nice to excess in taste; fastidious; easily disgusted; apt to
   be offended at trifling improprieties.
   [1913 Webster]

         Quoth he, that honor's very squeamish
         That takes a basting for a blemish.      --Hudibras.
   [1913 Webster]

         His muse is rustic, and perhaps too plain
         The men of squeamish taste to entertain. --Southern.
   [1913 Webster]

         So ye grow squeamish, Gods, and sniff at heaven. --M.
                                                  Arnold.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Fastidious; dainty; overnice; scrupulous. See
        {Fastidious}.
        [1913 Webster] -- {Squeam"ish*ly}, adv. --
        {Squeam"ish*ness}, n.
        [1913 Webster]