quell

Meanings

1. To subdue, put down, or silence (someone or something); to force (someone) to submit.
2. To suppress, to put an end to (something); to extinguish.
3. To kill.
4. To be subdued or abated; to diminish.
5. To die.

1. A subduing.

1. A source, especially a spring.
2. An emotion or sensation which rises suddenly.

Etymology

From Middle English quellen, from Old English cwellan (“to kill”), from Proto-West Germanic *kwalljan, from Proto-Germanic *kwaljaną (“to make die; kill”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-. Cognate with German quälen (“to torment; agonise; smite”), Swedish kvälja (“to torment”), Icelandic kvelja (“to torture; torment”). Compare also Old Armenian կեղ (keł, “sore, ulcer”), Old Church Slavonic жаль (žalĭ, “pain”). See also kill, which may be its doublet.