Any of various small game birds of the genera Coturnix, Anurophasis or Perdicula in the Old World family Phasianidae or of the New World family Odontophoridae.

(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.

(intransitive) To waste away; to fade, to wither.

(transitive, now rare) To daunt or frighten (someone).

(intransitive) To lose heart or courage; to be daunted or fearful.

(intransitive) Of courage, faith, etc.: to slacken, to give way.