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.
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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.
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The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor.
Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter. Longfellow.
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Syn. -- to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench; succumb; yield.
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Quail, v. i. [OF. coaillier, F. cailler, from L. coagulare. See Coagulate.] To curdle; to coagulate, as milk. [Obs.] Holland.
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