Quailings

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈkweɪlɪŋz/

Definitions

1. Acts of shrinking back in fear or showing apprehensive hesitation ; instances of trembling or cowering in response to danger or distress ; moments of faltering courage and displaying timidity
2. Episodes of feeling or demonstrating fear and reluctance ; occurrences of shrinking away or losing confidence under pressure ; phases marked by a lack of bravery and visible nervousness
3. States of being scared or showing nervous avoidance ; times when one recoils or is overcome by doubt and uncertainty ; conditions featuring diminished bravery and signs of apprehension

Etymology: "Quailings" is the plural of "quailing," the present participle and gerund of the verb "quail," so the plural form is simply the noun form of that verb's action. The verb "quail" itself is the word that carries the history: it means to lose heart, cower, or shrink back in fear, and its sense of trembling or recoiling from danger is what the noun inherits. Because "quailings" is an inflected form, its history is that of "quail." The plural points to repeated episodes of this recoil, so each entry in the plural can be read as a separate occasion on which someone's nerve gave way.

Synonyms: fearings, tremblings, shudderings, quiverings, cowerings

Antonyms: bravings, boldness, courage, fearlessness