Definition of the word squeamish

The word "squeamish" has its origins in the 16th century. It comes from the Middle English word "skeamish," which means "delicate" or "fastidious." The word is thought to have been derived from the Old English word "sceamian," which means "to be disgusted" or "to be repelled by." In the early 17th century, the word "squeamish" began to be used to describe someone who was excessively concerned with cleanliness, hygiene, or moral purity. This sense of the word is still used today, with someone who is squeamish being someone who is easily offended or disturbed by disagreeable sights or smells. Over time, the meaning of "squeamish" has expanded to include the sense of being unwilling or unable to cope with violence, gore, or other disturbing or unpleasant things.