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quail

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quail at someone or something

to show fear at someone or something; to shrink from someone or something. Todd quailed at the thought of what he had to do. The students quailed at the teacher who had been so hard on them in the past.

See also: quail

quail before someone or something

to cower before or at the threat of someone or something. The students quailed before the angry principal. They quailed before the thought of punishment.

See also: before, quail

quail

n. any girl or woman, especially considered sexually. (Crude.) Look at that cute little quail over there.