World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesQuail
/kweɪl/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A small, short-tailed Old World game bird related to the partridge, typically having brown patterned plumage.
"We spotted a covey of quail darting through the tall meadow grass."
- 1
To feel or show fear and apprehension; to cower.
"He did not quail in the face of immense pressure from his superiors."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'quayle', which came from Old French 'quaile' and ultimately from the Medieval Latin 'quaccola', an imitative formation reflecting the bird's call. The verb meaning 'to cower or lose courage' arose in the 14th century, likely by association with the notion of being cowed or startled like the bird.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Quail"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Quail" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
caille
Transliteration: /kɑj/
"Les cailles nichent souvent dans les champs de blé."
Wachtel
Transliteration: /ˈvaxtəl/
"Die Wachtel ist ein kleiner, scheuer Bodenfogel."
quaglia
Transliteration: /ˈkwaʎ.ʎa/
"La quaglia è un uccello migratore molto apprezzato."
codorniz
Transliteration: /koðorˈniθ/
"Escuchamos el canto de la codorniz al amanecer."
codorna
Transliteration: /koˈdoɾ.nɐ/
"A codorna é conhecida por correr mais do que voar."
बटेर
Transliteration: bater
"खेतों में एक बटेर छिप गई।"
鹌鹑
Transliteration: ānchún
"他们在农场里养了一些鹌鹑。"
메추라기
Transliteration: mechuragi
"풀숲에서 메추라기 한 마리가 날아올랐다."
ウズラ
Transliteration: uzura
"ウズラのエサやりを毎朝の日課にしています。"
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