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quail1 definition

quail (kwāl)

intransitive verb

to draw back in fear; lose heart or courage; cower

Etymology: ME quailen, prob. < OFr coaillier < L coagulare, to coagulate

quail2 definition

quail (kwāl)

noun pl. quails or quail

any of a number of small, short-tailed gallinaceous birds (family Phasianidae), including the bobwhite

Etymology: ME quaille < OFr < ML cuacula, of echoic orig.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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