quash

verb (1)

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\ ˈkwäsh

, ˈkwȯsh \

quashed; quashing; quashes

Definition of quash

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely quash a rebellion

quash

verb (2)

quashed; quashing; quashes

Definition of quash (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to nullify especially by judicial action quash an indictment

Did you know?

There are two quash verbs in the English language, and although their meanings are similar, they have entirely different origins. Both essentially mean to get rid of something—you can quash a rumor, for example, or you can quash a judicial order. The legal term quash (meaning "to nullify") comes from the Anglo-French words casser or quasser, meaning "to annul," and is ultimately from Latin cassus, "to void." The other quash means "to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely." It derives from the Middle English word quashen, meaning "to smash," and is ultimately from a form of the Latin verb quatere, meaning "to shake."

History and Etymology for quash

Verb (1)

Middle English quashen to smash, from Anglo-French quasser, casser, from Latin quassare to shake violently, shatter, frequentative of quatere to shake

Verb (2)

Middle English quassen, from Anglo-French casser, quasser to annul, from Late Latin cassare, from Latin cassus void