squat
This term evokes a sense of compression and stability, whether referring to a physical posture, a body type, or a legal status. When describing a person, it carries a neutral to positive connotation of strength and solidity, contrasting with words that imply clumsiness or shortness. In a legal or social context, the word shifts from a physical action to a defiant act of occupation. It implies a temporary, often precarious, claim to space that bypasses formal ownership or permission, frequently associated with urban activism or homelessness.
Meanings
To crouch down by bending the knees so that the buttocks are close to the ground.
"He squatted down to look at the tiny insect on the pavement."
To occupy an abandoned building or land without legal permission or paying rent.
"Several artists have squatted in the old warehouse for the past year."
A position in which one crouches down by bending the knees.
"The athlete held a deep squat to build strength in his legs."
Short and thickset in appearance, often referring to a person or a building.
"The house was a squat, grey structure that looked like a concrete block."