Quell

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kwɛl/

Definitions

1. To suppress, calm, or put an end to something such as unrest, fear, or rebellion through force or persuasion
2. To bring a state of peace or control by extinguishing unrest, fear, or emotional turmoil through various means of intervention
3. To alleviate or pacify disturbances, anxieties, or conflicts by exerting influence or authority to restore order

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "quell" is that it once meant plain killing. Old English "cwellan" meant "to kill," and Middle English "quellen" kept that violent sense for a while before it softened into suppressing or overpowering something. The verb has German and Scandinavian cousins that still carry the sense of torment: German "quälen" means to torment or agonise, and Icelandic "kvelja" means to torture. Behind them lies a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to make die," which suggests the word's core was the infliction of harm rather than the quieting of a crowd. A second, unrelated "quell" also exists, and it is easy to confuse with the first. It comes from Old English "cwylla" or "cwiella," meaning "spring" or "source," and it is related to German "Quelle," meaning spring or source. Middle English may have produced a noun "quelle" from this, possibly influenced by the verb "quellen," meaning to well up or gush forth. The two words share a spelling by coincidence of development, not common ancestry.

Synonyms: suppress, subdue, pacify, calm, defuse

Antonyms: agitate, incite, provoke, encourage, exacerbate