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.
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.