Quail

WORD OF THE DAY
quail / verb / KWAIL 
 
Definition
1a: to give way
1b: falter
2a: to recoil in dread or terror
2b: cower


Examples
"It wasn't so long ago that book publishers and bookstore owners were quailing about the coming of e-books, like movie theatre owners at the dawn of the television age."
— Michael Hiltzik, The Gulf Times, 10 May 2017


"I've a Pooh in me, blundering about, trying to think large thoughts, making pronouncements I hope won't be challenged. And I'm sometimes a Piglet, quailing in front of imaginary dangers, or figuratively jumping up and down to squeak, 'I'm here! What about me?'"
— Jim Atwell, The Cooperstown (New York) Crier, 15 June 2017


Did You Know?
Flinch, recoil, and wince are all synonyms of quail, but each word has a slightly different use. When you flinch, you fail to endure pain or to face something dangerous or frightening with resolution ("she faced her accusers without flinching").
Recoil implies a start or movement away from something through shock, fear, or disgust ("he recoiled at the suggestion of stealing").
Wince usually suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction to something ("she winced as the bright light suddenly hit her eyes").
Quail implies shrinking and cowering in fear ("he quailed before the apparition").