quail

Definitions

1. 1intransitive verb

   To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade.

2. 2intransitive verb

   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.

3. 3transitive verb

   To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush; to subdue.

4. 4intransitive verb

   To curdle; to coagulate, as milk.

5. 5noun

   Any gallinaceous bird belonging to Coturnix and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the common European quail (C. communis), the rain quail (C. Coromandelica) of India, the stubble quail (C. pectoralis), and the Australian swamp quail (Synoicus australis).

6. 6noun

   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).

7. 7noun

   Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.

8. 8noun

   A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird.

9. 9noun

   small gallinaceous game birds

10. 10noun

    flesh of quail; suitable for roasting or broiling if young; otherwise must be braised

11. 11verb

    draw back, as with fear or pain

    "she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf"

    Synonyms

    cringeflinchfunkrecoilshrinksquinchwince