quail

¹

[ kweyl ]

noun

, plural quails, (especially collectively) quail.

1. Also called true quail. any of numerous gallinaceous birds, order Galliformes, classified as either Old World quails, within the pheasant family (Phasinidae), especially the genus Coturnix, or the distantly related New World quails, comprising their own family (Odontophoridae), including the genera Colinus, Callipepla, and Odontophorus : among the most familiar true quails are the Old World king quail and the New World bobwhite.
2. button quail ( def ).
3. Older Slang. a woman or girl.

quail

²

[ kweyl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to lose heart or courage in difficulty or danger; shrink with fear.

   Synonyms: cower, blench, flinch, recoil

quail

¹

/ kweɪl /

noun

1. any small Old World gallinaceous game bird of the genus Coturnix and related genera, having a rounded body and small tail: family Phasianidae (pheasants)
2. any of various similar and related American birds, such as the bobwhite

quail

²

/ kweɪl /

verb

1. intr to shrink back with fear; cower

Other Words From

• quail·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quail¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English quaille, quaylle, from Old French quaille, from Medieval Latin quaccola; imitative of its call

Origin of quail²

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle Dutch quelen, queilen

Word History and Origins

Origin of quail¹

C14: from Old French quaille, from Medieval Latin quaccula, probably of imitative origin

Origin of quail²

C15: perhaps from Old French quailler, from Latin coāgulāre to curdle

Synonym Study

See wince ¹.

Example Sentences

It started from Quail Ridge Road, right above his property, and was about 240 feet long and an inch wide when he first noticed it — but now it runs more than 450 feet through the back of his property, and in one section is almost 16 inches wide.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, the Rancho Palos Verdes city geologist reported earlier this month that “creep movement” up to 0.7 inches per week has been recorded in Rolling Hills, specifically around Cinchring and Quail Ridge roads, affecting multiple properties — including Bellis’ home.

From Los Angeles Times

McIlroy was at his devastating best when he won at Quail Hollow on the PGA Tour the week before the US PGA Championship in May.

From BBC

There’s also been some new land movement northeast of the landslide complex along Cinchring and Quail Ridge roads in Rolling Hills, an area that has never been included as part of any mapped landslide area.

From Los Angeles Times

He loved to hunt and cook, sometimes combining the two passions at the fire station by serving quail enchiladas, the poultry fresh from a recent hunt.

From Los Angeles Times