n. [ F. squille (also scille a squill, in sense 1), L. squilla, scilla, Gr. &unr_;. ] 1. (Bot.) (a) A European bulbous liliaceous plant (Urginea maritima, formerly Scilla maritima), of acrid, expectorant, diuretic, and emetic properties, used in medicine. Called also sea onion. (b) Any bulbous plant of the genus Scilla; as, the bluebell squill (Scilla mutans). [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Zool.) (a) A squilla. (b) A mantis. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n.; pl. E. Squillas L. Squillae [ L., a sea onion, also, a prawn or shrimp. See Squill. ] (Zool.) Any one of numerous stomapod crustaceans of the genus Squilla and allied genera. They make burrows in mud or beneath stones on the seashore. Called also mantis shrimp. See Illust. under Stomapoda. [ 1913 Webster ]