From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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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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