Quash, 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.
The whales
Against sharp rocks, like reeling vessels, quashed,
Though huge as mountains, are in pieces dashed.
Waller.
2. To crush; to subdue; to suppress or
extinguish summarily and completely; as, to quash a
rebellion.
Contrition is apt to quash or allay all worldly
grief.
Barrow.Quash (?), n. Same as
Squash.
Quash, 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.
Quash, v. i. To be shaken, or
dashed about, with noise.