Quell v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quelled p. pr. & vb. n. Quelling.]
1. To die. [Obs.]
Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell. --Spenser.
2. To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate. [R.]
Winter's wrath begins to quell. --Spenser.
Quell, v. t.
1. To take the life of; to kill. [Obs.]
The ducks cried as [if] men would them quelle. --Chaucer.
2. To overpower; to subdue; to put down.
The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected minority. --Macaulay.
Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt. --Longfellow.
3. To quiet; to allay; to pacify; to cause to yield or cease; as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.
Much did his words the gentle lady quell. --Spenser.
Syn: -- to subdue; crush; overpower; reduce; put down; repress; suppress; quiet; allay; calm; pacify.
quell
v 1: suppress or crush completely; "squelch any sign of dissent";
"quench a rebellion" [syn: squelch, quench]
2: overcome or allay; "quell my hunger" [syn: stay, appease]