from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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His muse is rustic, and perhaps too plain
The men of squeamish taste to entertain. --Southern.
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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]