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Quail   /kweɪl/   Listen
noun
Quail  n.  
1.
(Zool.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to Coturnix and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the common European quail (Coturnix communis), the rain quail (Coturnix Coromandelica) of India, the stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis), and the Australian swamp quail (Synoicus australis).
2.
(Zool.) Any one of several American partridges belonging to Colinus, Callipepla, and allied genera, especially the bobwhite (called Virginia quail, and Maryland quail), and the California quail (Calipepla Californica).
3.
(Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.
4.
A prostitute; so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird. (Obs.)
Bustard quail (Zool.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of the genus Turnix, as Turnix taigoor, a black-breasted species, and the hill bustard quail (Turnix ocellatus). See Turnix.
Button quail (Zool.), one of several small Asiatic species of Turnix, as Turnix Sykesii, which is said to be the smallest game bird of India.
Mountain quail. See under Mountain.
Quail call, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net or within range.
Quail dove (Zool.), any one of several American ground pigeons belonging to Geotrygon and allied genera.
Quail hawk (Zool.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk (Hieracidea Novae-Hollandiae).
Quail pipe. See Quail call, above.
Quail snipe (Zool.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe; called also robin snipe, and brown snipe.
Sea quail (Zool.), the turnstone. (Local, U. S.)


verb
Quail  v. t.  To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush; to subdue. (Obs.)


Quail  v. i.  (past & past part. qualled; pres. part. qualling)  
1.
To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade. (Obs.)
2.
To become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to shrink; to cower. "The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor. Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter."
Synonyms: to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench; succumb; yield.


Quail  v. i.  To curdle; to coagulate, as milk. (Obs.)





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Quail" Quotes from Famous Books



... sneeringly. "I make bold to tell you, lady, I care not so much as you may imagine for your affections, which I know you have sufficient principle to recall, and bestow upon the possessor of that fair hand, whoever he may be. Nay, look not so wrathful, for I know that which would make your proud look quail, and the heiress of Cecil rejoice that she could yet become the wife of ...
— The Buccaneer - A Tale • Mrs. S. C. Hall
... the time. Some cried and struggled, but latterly they felt it was their fate, and resisted no longer. Even Mary Cox, who had a curly head by nature, stood still to be clipped. Dora's hands were in a dreadful state, and her mind began to quail a little; but, having once started, she felt bound to go on and complete her work, and when she finally dismissed the school, there was a very undesirable heap of locks, brown, black, and carroty, interspersed with curl-papers, on the floor. The girls ...
— The Carbonels • Charlotte M. Yonge
... Tom to wilt before his frowning glance he was disappointed. There was no trace of swagger or bravado when Tom faced his inquisitor. But there was self-respect and quiet resolution that refused to quail before anyone to whom fate for the moment ...
— Army Boys on the Firing Line - or, Holding Back the German Drive • Homer Randall
... then another of the boys went for me, and I took it all. I just," and here his voice rose, and his manner became feverishly excited, "I just ate crow right along for months—and tried to look as if 'twas quail. ...
— Elder Conklin and Other Stories • Frank Harris
... ant was very numerous, particularly in the nonda trees, where they form their nests. The birds were also very numerous, large flocks of black cockatoos, cockatoo parrots, galaas, budgerygars or grass parrots ('Melopsittacus Undulatus, Gould'), and some grey quail were frequently seen, and on one of the lagoons a solitary snipe was found. Another cow was abandoned to-day. The total day's stage was 8 miles. The party camped in the sandy bed of the river. A little rain was experienced at night. (Camp XXV.) Latitude ...
— The Overland Expedition of The Messrs. Jardine • Frank Jardine and Alexander Jardine


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