/ kwel; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to stop sth such as violent behaviour or protests :
Extra police were called in to quell the disturbances.
( figurative )
She started to giggle, but Bob quelled her with a look.
2.
to stop or reduce strong or unpleasant feelings
SYN calm :
to quell your fears
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English cwellan kill , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kwellen and German quälen .