Quail v. i. [imp. & p. p. Qualled p. pr. & vb. n. Qualling.]
1. To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade. [Obs.]
2. To become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to shrink; to cower.
The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor.
Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter. --Longfellow.
Syn: -- to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench; succumb; yield.