Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Old French
Origin: esquasser, from Latin quassare 'to shake'

squash

1 verb
     
squash1
1

press

[transitive] to press something into a flatter shape, often breaking or damaging it [= flatten]:
The cake got a bit squashed on the way here.
squash something down
Her hair had been squashed down by her hat.
Move over - you're squashing me.
2

small space

[intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] to push yourself or something else into a space that is too small [= squeeze]
squash into
Seven of us squashed into the car.
squash something in
We can probably squash another couple of things in.
3

stop something

[transitive] informal to use your power or authority to stop something [= quash]:
Her suggestions were always squashed.
squash rumours/hopes/reports etc (=say that a rumour etc is not true)
The government was quick to squash any hopes of reform.
4

control emotion

[transitive] to control or ignore an emotion [= suppress]:
She felt anger rising but quickly squashed it.

squash up

phrasal verb
to move closer together or closer to something, especially in order to make room for someone or something else
squash up against
The others squashed up against Jo.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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