— quellable , adj. — queller , n.
/kwel/ , v.t.
1. to suppress; put an end to; extinguish: The troops quelled the rebellion quickly.
2. to vanquish; subdue.
3. to quiet or allay (emotions, anxieties, etc.): The child's mother quelled his fears of the thunder.
[ bef. 900; ME quellen, OE cwellan to kill; akin to ON kvelja to torment, G quälen to vex; cf. KILL 1 ]
Syn. 1, 2. crush, quash, overpower, overcome, defeat, conquer, quench. 3. calm, pacify, compose, hush.
Ant. 1, 2. foster. 3. agitate.