quelling n 1: forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority; "the suppression of heresy"; "the quelling of the rebellion"; "the stifling of all dissent" [syn: {suppression}, {crushing}, {quelling}, {stifling}]
Quell \Quell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Quelling}.] [See {Quail} to cower.] [1913 Webster] 1. To die. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell. --Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate. [R.] [1913 Webster] Winter's wrath begins to quell. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]