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The Learning Kingdom's Cool Word of the Day for May 12, 1999
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quash [v. KWASH]
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To quash is to annul or set aside by a judicial act, or it is to
completely suppress by force. Example: "The General's army quashed
the rebellion without difficulty."
The two meanings of this word came into English through slightly
different paths, both through Old French from Medieval Latin quassare
(to shatter or shake to pieces). The sense "quash by annulment" was
influenced by Latin cassare (to empty), from cassus (empty, void). A
judicial quash renders its subject empty and void.
The other meaning, "quash through overwhelming force," came through
the same path, but more strongly influenced by the source of
"quassare," which was quatere (to shake, to strike). The related word
"squash" also came from the same root, through a Vulgar Latin
derivative, exquassare (to shatter or shake extremely).
Other words in the same family include these:
concussion: a violent jarring or shock (a striking together)
percussion: a striking together
rescue: to save or set free (by shaking off or driving away enemies)
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