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quell

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quell

Main Entry:: ¹quell
Pronunciation:: \ˈkwel\
Function:: transitive verb
Etymology:: Middle English, to kill, quell, from Old English cwellan to kill; akin to Old High German quellen to torture, kill, quāla torment, Lithuanian gelti to hurt
Date:: 13th century

1 : to thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity <quell a riot> 2 : quiet, pacify <quell fears>

— quell·er noun

Learn more about "quell" and related topics at Britannica.com

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