First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1quell
verb \ˈkwel\
: to end or stop (something) usually by using force
: to calm or reduce (something, such as fear or worry)
Full Definition of QUELL
transitive verb
1
: to thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity <quell a riot>
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Origin of QUELL
Middle English, to kill, quell, from Old English cwellan to kill; akin to Old High German quellen to torture, kill, quāla torment, Lithuanian gelti to hurt
Related to QUELL
- Synonyms
- clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, repress, silence, slap down, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppress, sit on
2quell
noun
Definition of QUELL
1
obsolete : slaughter
2
archaic : the power of quelling
Origin of QUELL
Middle English, from quellen to kill
First Known Use: 15th century
QUELL Defined for Kids
quell
verb \ˈkwel\
quelledquell·ing
Definition of QUELL for Kids
1
: to stop or end by force <Police quelled a riot.>
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