[syn: queasiness, squeamishness, qualm]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Qualm \Qualm\, n. [AS. cwealm death, slaughter, pestilence, akin
to OS. & OHG. qualm. See Quail to cower.]
1. Sickness; disease; pestilence; death. [Obs.]
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thousand slain and not of qualm ystorve [dead].
--Chaucer.
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2. A sudden attack of illness, faintness, or pain; an agony.
" Qualms of heartsick agony." --Milton.
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3. Especially, a sudden sensation of nausea.
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For who, without a qualm, hath ever looked
On holy garbage, though by Homer cooked?
--Roscommon.
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4. A prick or scruple of conscience; uneasiness of
conscience; compunction. --Dryden.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
qualm
n 1: uneasiness about the fitness of an action [syn: scruple,
qualm, misgiving]
2: a mild state of nausea [syn: queasiness, squeamishness,
qualm]