WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Qualm
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [AS. cwealm death, slaughter, pestilence, akin to OS. & OHG. qualm. See Quail to cower.]
Definition : 1. Sickness; disease; pestilence; death. [Obs.] thousand slain and not of qualm ystorve [dead]. Chaucer.

2. A sudden attack of illness, faintness, or pain; an agony. " Qualms of heartsick agony." Milton.

3. Especially, a sudden sensation of nausea. For who, without a qualm, hath ever looked On holy garbage, though by Homer cooked Roscommon.

4. A prick or scruple of conscience; uneasiness of conscience; compunction. Dryden.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913