Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Squib
Squib
(skwĭb)
, Noun.
[OE. ]
squippen
, swippen
, to move swiftly, Icel. svipa
to swoop, flash, dart, whip; akin to AS. swipian
to whip, and E. swift
, a. See Swift
, Adj.
1.
A little pipe, or hollow cylinder of paper, filled with powder or combustible matter, to be thrown into the air while burning, so as to burst there with a crack.
Lampoons, like
squibs
, may make a present blaze. Waller.
The making and selling of fireworks, and
squibs
. . . is punishable. Blackstone.
2.
(Mining)
A kind of slow match or safety fuse.
3.
A sarcastic speech or publication; a petty lampoon; a brief, witty essay.
Who copied his
squibs
, and reechoed his jokes. Goldsmith.
4.
A writer of lampoons.
[Obs.]
The
squibs
are those who in the common phrase of the world are called libelers, lampooners, and pamphleteers. Tatler.
5.
A paltry fellow.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Squib
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Squibbed
(skwĭbd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Squibbing
.] To throw squibs; to utter sarcastic or severe reflections; to contend in petty dispute;
as, to
. squib
a little in debate[Colloq.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Squib
SQUIB
,Noun.
1.
A little pipe or hollow cylinder of paper, filled with powder or combustible matter and sent into the air, burning and bursting with a crack; a cracker.Lampoons, like squibs, may make a present blaze.
The making and selling of squibs is punishable.
2.
A sarcastic speech or little censorious writing published; a petty lampoon.3.
A pretty fellow. [Not in use.]The squibs, in the common phrase, are called libellers.
SQUIB
,Verb.
I.