or quietus est, subs. (colloquial).—A form of finality; a settling blow; death, &c.: originally = a quittance or pardon.
c. 1537. LATIMER, Remains [Parker Society], 309. [You will] have your QUIETUS EST.
1596. SHAKESPEARE, Hamlet, iii. 1.
| Who would fardels bear … | |
| When he himself might his QUIETUS make | |
| With a bare bodkin? |
1772. BRIDGES, A Burlesque Translation of Homer, 317.
| Nestor’s in danger, stop and meet us, | |
| Or Hector gives him his QUIETUS. |
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 3 April. After a contest which lasted for the best part of an hour and a-half, M’Carthy received his QUIETUS.
1901. CLEMENT SCOTT [in Free Lance, 19 Oct., 94, 1]. What am I to do with the whisky? It may do me good, but, on the other hand, it may give me an everlasting headache, or my QUIETUS.
