Quell

v. t. [imp. & p. p. QUELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. QUELLING.] [A-S. cwelian, cwellan, Dan. qväle, Sw. quälja, Icel. qvelia. See KILL.]

1Sense 1. To take the life of; to kill. [Obs.]

Ere he did recover he did him quell. Spenser.

2Sense 2. To crush; to subdue; to put down; to reduce.

The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected minority. Macaulay.

3Sense 3. To quiet; to allay; to reduce to peace; to cause to cease; as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.

Much did his words the gentle lady quell. Spenser.

Synonyms—To subdue; crush; overpower; put down; quiet; allay; calm.

v. i. 1. To die. [Obs.] Yet he did quake and quiver, like to quell. Spenser.

2Sense 2. To be put down, subdued, or vanquished; to abate. [Rare.] Winter's wrath begins to quell. Spenser.