资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia,
   qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel,
   OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to {Coturnix}
      and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the
      common European quail ({C. communis}), the rain quail ({C.
      Coromandelica}) of India, the stubble quail ({C.
      pectoralis}), and the Australian swamp quail ({Synoicus
      australis}).

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several American partridges
      belonging to {Colinus}, {Callipepla}, and allied genera,
      especially the bobwhite (called {Virginia quail}, and
      {Maryland quail}), and the California quail ({Calipepla
      Californica}).

   3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and
      allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian
      painted quail ({Turnix varius}). See {Turnix}.

   4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought
      to be a very amorous bird.[Obs.] --Shak.

   {Bustard quail} (Zo["o]l.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird
      of the genus Turnix, as {T. taigoor}, a black-breasted
      species, and the hill bustard quail ({T. ocellatus}). See
      {Turnix}.

   {Button quail} (Zo["o]l.), one of several small Asiatic
      species of Turnix, as {T. Sykesii}, which is said to be
      the smallest game bird of India.

   {Mountain quail}. See under {Mountain}.

   {Quail call}, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net
      or within range.

   {Quail dove} {(Zo["o]l.)}, any one of several American ground
      pigeons belonging to {Geotrygon} and allied genera.

   {Quail hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk
      ({Hieracidea Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]}).

   {Quail pipe}. See {Quail call}, above.

   {Quail snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted
      snipe; -- called also {robin snipe}, and {brown snipe}.

   {Sea quail} (Zo["o]l.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]

资料来源 : WordNet®

button quail
     n : small quail-like terrestrial bird of southern Eurasia and
         northern Africa that lacks a hind toe; classified with
         wading birds but inhabits grassy plains [syn: {button-quail},
          {bustard quail}, {hemipode}]