Asquat

/əˈskwɑt/ adjective

Definition

In a squatting position; crouched down close to the ground.

Etymology

From a- + squat, continuing the archaic 'a-' prefix pattern for describing bodily positions and states. 'Squat' itself likely derives from Old French 'esquatir' meaning to press down or crouch.

Kelly Says

This word barely survives in modern English except in dialectal use, but it shows how Old English could efficiently describe actions and positions—you could say 'he sat asquat' as a complete image of a particular pose, something we'd now require multiple words to convey.

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