Definition of quail

acrimonious Definition: (adjective) biting, harsh, caustic. Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< quail

quaint >

quail ²    (kwl) KEY  

intr.v.
quailed , quail·ing , quails

To shrink back in fear; cower.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English quailen, to give way, probably from Middle Dutch quelen, to suffer, be ill; see g^wel- in Indo-European roots

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search