Both Uses of
qualms
in
Wuthering Heights
- I was surprised to witness how coolly the child gathered himself up, and went on with his intention; exchanging saddles and all, and then sitting down on a bundle of hay to overcome the qualm which the violent blow occasioned, before he entered the house.†
p. 28.1 *qualm = feeling of uneasinesseditor's notes: Qualm is much more commonly used in the plural form, qualms.
- I descended to tell my master that the young lady's qualm of sickness was almost gone, but I judged it best for her to lie down a while.†
p. 166.3
Definitions:
-
(1)
(qualms) feelings of uneasiness -- especially about whether it is right to do something
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely feeling qualms can reference a sudden feeling of nervousness. Even more rarely (and historically), a qualm referenced a mild state of nausea.