Quail
/kwāl/noun
A small, plump bird often hunted for sport or food.
Did you know?In ancient times, quails were associated with prophecies and spiritual omens, as they were believed to carry messages from the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kwel-
“to cry out or shout.”
Latin
Latin
quailis
“a term for a small bird, possibly related to those that fly low.”
Old French
Old French
quaille
“the domestic bird, often used in hunting.”
Middle English
Middle English
quayle
“a small game bird, noted for its timid nature.”
Modern English
English
quail
“a term for the bird, but also a verb meaning to tremble in fear.”
Explore more surprising origins