The spelling of the word "qualms" might give you some pause if you're unfamiliar with English phonetics. The pronunciation is /kwɑːmz/ (k-w-aw-m-z), with the "q" sounding like a "kw." The "a" after the "q" is pronounced like the "a" in "father," followed by an "l" sound. The final "m" is pronounced, followed by a "z" sound. "Qualms" is commonly used to describe feelings of doubt or unease, but its spelling can be a bit tricky if you haven't encountered it before.
Qualms, noun.
1. A feeling of unease, anxiety, or doubt about a course of action or the consequences of an action. It is often a result of moral, ethical, or psychological considerations. A person experiencing qualms may have reservations or second thoughts before making a decision or carrying out a particular plan, as they are concerned about potential repercussions or conflicts with their values.
2. A sudden, brief feeling of sickness or nausea. In this context, qualms are often associated with a physical uneasiness or discomfort in the stomach or digestive system. It can be triggered by various factors such as the consumption of a specific food or drink, exposure to an offensive odor, or the sensation of motion sickness.
3. A hesitation or reluctance to express one's thoughts or opinions openly or publicly due to fear, worry, or self-doubt. This form of qualms may be related to a lack of self-confidence or fear of negative judgement or criticism from others. It can hinder assertiveness and hinder effective communication in social or professional settings.
Overall, qualms encompass a range of emotional and physical manifestations of uneasiness, doubt, or resistance. It reflects an individual's internal struggle, whether it is related to decisions, moral dilemmas, or physical discomfort.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "qualms" originated from the Old English term "cwealm", which meant "pain" or "suffering". Over time, this evolved into the Middle English word "qualm" with the same meaning. In the 16th century, the word underwent a shift in meaning to refer specifically to a feeling of unease or doubt. The term "qualms" as a plural form of "qualm" emerged during this period to represent multiple instances of this feeling.