quail

  1. Verb.  (intransitive) To waste away; to fade, wither. (defdate, from 15th c.) .
  2. Verb.  (context, transitive) To frighten, daunt (someone). (defdate, from 16th c.) .
  3. Verb.  (intransitive) To lose heart or courage; to be daunted, fearful. (defdate, from 16th c.) .
  4. Verb.  (intransitive) To slacken, give way (of courage, faith etc.). (defdate, from 16th c.) .
  5. Noun.  Any of various small game birds of the genera ''Coturnix'', ''Anurophasis'' or ''Perdicula'' in the Old World family Phasianidae or of the New World family Odontophoridae.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.