quail at

Found in Anh - Anh (Wordnet)

Definition Verb (transitive) To anticipate or face something with a feeling of dread, fear, or anxiety; to shrink back or recoil from something due to apprehension. Usage This verb describes the act of reacting with fear or nervousness to a prospective event, action, or situation. It implies a visible or internal flinching or hesitation. It is typically used with a direct object (the thing that...