Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Quell \Quell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quelled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Quelling}.] [See {Quail} to cower.]
   1. To die. [Obs.]

            Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell.
                                                  --Spenser.

   2. To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate. [R.]

            Winter's wrath begins to quell.       --Spenser.

Quell \Quell\, v. t. [OE. quellen to kill, AS. cwellan,
   causative of cwelan to die; akin to OHG. quellen to torment,
   Icel. kvelja. See {Quail} to cower.]
   1. To take the life of; to kill. [Obs.] --Spenser.

            The ducks cried as [if] men would them quelle.
                                                  --Chaucer.

   2. To overpower; to subdue; to put down.

            The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the
            sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected
            minority.                             --Macaulay.

            Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt.
                                                  --Longfellow.

   3. To quiet; to allay; to pacify; to cause to yield or cease;
      as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.

            Much did his words the gentle lady quell. --Spenser.

   Syn: to subdue; crush; overpower; reduce; put down; repress;
        suppress; quiet; allay; calm; pacify.

Quell \Quell\, n.
   Murder. [Obs.] --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

quell
     v 1: suppress or crush completely; "squelch any sign of dissent";
          "quench a rebellion" [syn: {squelch}, {quench}]
     2: overcome or allay; "quell my hunger" [syn: {stay}, {appease}]