Quell (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quelled (); p. pr. & vb. n. Quelling.] [See Quail to cower.]
1.
To die.
[Obs.]
Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell.
Spenser.
2.
To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate.
[R.]
Winter's wrath begins to quell.
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.
Quell, v. t. [OE. quellen to kill, AS. cwellan, causative of cwelan to die; akin to OHG. quellen to torment, Icel. kvelja. See Quail to cower.]
1.
To take the life of; to kill.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
The ducks cried as [if] men would them quelle.
Chaucer.
2.
To overpower; to subdue; to put down.
The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected minority.
Macaulay.
Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt.
Longfellow.
3.
To quiet; to allay; to pacify; to cause to yield or cease; as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.
Much did his words the gentle lady quell.
Spenser.
Syn. -- to subdue; crush; overpower; reduce; put down; repress; suppress; quiet; allay; calm; pacify.
© Webster 1913.
Quell, n.
Murder.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.