quail
quail Lexical Profile
quail Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various small, plump, short-tailed game birds of the families Phasianidae (Old World) and Odontophoridae (New World), typically inhabiting grasslands, scrub, and woodlands and noted for their camouflaged brownish plumage and ground-dwelling habits.
"A covey of quail burst from the tall meadow grass as the hikers approached the trail."
The tender, flavorful meat of a quail used as poultry in cooking.
"For the main course, the chef served roasted quail glazed with honey and fresh thyme."
• verb
To feel or show fear or apprehension; to cower, shrink back, or lose heart in the face of danger or difficulty.
"Even the most experienced sailors began to quail at the sight of the towering storm waves."
• Rhymes for quail
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun and verb represent two distinct etymological roots: the bird name comes from Old French 'quaille' (via Medieval Latin 'coacula', imitating the bird's call), while the verb meaning 'to cower' derives from Middle English 'quailen' (to curdle or fail), likely related to Old English 'cwelan' (to die).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.