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qualled |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Quail \Quail\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Qualled}; p. pr & vb n. {Qualling}.] [AS. cwelan to die, perish; akin to cwalu violent death, D. kwaal pain, G. qual torment, OHG. quelan to suffer torment, Lith. gelti to hurt, gela pain. Cf {Quell}.] 1. To die; to perish; hence to wither; to fade. [Obs.] --Spenser. 2. To become quelled; to become cast down to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way to shrink; to cower. The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor. Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter. --Longfellow. Syn: to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench; succumb; yield.
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