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quell

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To suppress, subdue, or put down forcibly, especially violence, rebellion, or unrest; to extinguish or crush resistance, restoring order through strength.

Detailed Definition
“Quell” implies forceful pacification—quelling riots, passions, or foes. In epic poetry, it describes heroic or tyrannical control. The term’s finality suits resolution. Poets use it to explore order’s cost, where quelling brings peace or oppression, reinforcing themes of power, justice, and restraint in narrative and political contexts.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The hero sought to quell the rebellion,” in a political epic; In Milton: “Quell the proud, exalt the meek”; “She quelled her fear with song”; “The storm was quelled by dawn”; “Quell not the spirit, but guide it”; The lullaby quelled the child’s tears.
Additional Notes
“Quell” implies decisive, often violent suppression; in political or apocalyptic verse, heroes “quell rebellion” or angels “quell demons,” framing order restored through overwhelming force.
Also Known As
suppress subdue crush
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