Illustration of quail
plural quail or quails
: any of numerous small gallinaceous birds: such as
a
: an Old World migratory game bird (Coturnix coturnix)
b
: bobwhite
quailed; quailing; quails
2
: to recoil in dread or terror : cower
the strongest quail before financial ruin—
Samuel Butler †1902
Samuel Butler †1902
archaic
: to make fearful
Did you know?
Flinch, recoil, and wince are all synonyms of quail, but each word has a slightly different use. When you flinch, you fail to endure pain or to face something dangerous or frightening with resolution ("she faced her accusers without flinching"). Recoil implies a start or movement away from something through shock, fear, or disgust ("he recoiled at the suggestion of stealing"). Wince usually suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction to something ("she winced as the bright light suddenly hit her eyes"). Quail implies shrinking and cowering in fear ("he quailed before the apparition").
Synonyms
Examples of quail in a Sentence
Noun
We had quail for dinner.
Verb
Other politicians quailed before him.
He quailed at the thought of seeing her again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Worth Sparkman, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
Chickens and quails scurry about, all under a low-hung, bright-blue sky that seems to never end.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Even devoted readers of literary fiction might quail before novels celebrated for their obscure, metafictional plots.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2019
See all Example Sentences for quail 
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Noun
Pizza, pretzels, venison or quail sliders are also on offer.
—Worth Sparkman, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
Chickens and quails scurry about, all under a low-hung, bright-blue sky that seems to never end.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024
Verb
Few have the financial resources to brave the periodic downdrafts in the stock market without quailing.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Even devoted readers of literary fiction might quail before novels celebrated for their obscure, metafictional plots.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2019
See all Example Sentences for quail
Dictionary Entries Near quail
Cite this Entry
“Quail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quail. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quail
1 of 2 noun
plural quail or quails
: any of various mostly small plump game birds (as the bobwhite) that are related to the common domestic chicken
quail
2 of 2 verb
: to lose courage : shrink in fear
Etymology
Noun
Middle English quaile "quail (bird)," from early French quaile (same meaning), from Latin quaccula (same meaning), of imitative origin
Verb
Middle English quailen "to wither, decline," from early Dutch quelen (same meaning)
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