v. t. [ OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. quassare to shake, shatter, shiver, v. intens. fr. quatere, quassum, to shake, shatter. Cf. Concussion, Discuss, Rescue, and also Quash to annul. ] 1. To beat down, or beat in pieces; to dash forcibly; to crush. [ 1913 Webster ]

The whales
Against sharp rocks, like reeling vessels, quashed,
Though huge as mountains, are in pieces dashed. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To crush; to subdue; to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely; as, to quash a rebellion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contrition is apt to quash or allay all worldly grief. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be shaken, or dashed about, with noise. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Squash. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Quashed p. pr. & vb. n. Quashing. ] [ OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. cassare to annihilate, annul, fr. cassus empty, vain, of uncertain origin. The word has been confused with L. quassare to shake, F. casser to break, which is probably of different origin. Cf. Cashier, v. t. ] (Law) To abate, annul, overthrow, or make void; as, to quash an indictment. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A negro of the West Indies. [ 1913 Webster ]