qualm
qualm definition
qualm (kwäm)
noun
- a sudden, brief feeling of sickness, faintness, or nausea
- a sudden feeling of uneasiness or doubt; misgiving
- a twinge of conscience; scruple
Etymology: ME qualme < OE cwealm, death, disaster (akin to Ger qual, pain, Swed kvalm, nausea) < base of cwellan, to kill (see quell): all extant senses show melioration of the orig. meaning
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