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calm down

 - 2 dictionary results

calm

  [kahm; older kam; spelling pron. kahlm] adjective, -er, -est, noun, verb
Use calm down in a Sentence
–adjective
1. without rough motion; still or nearly still: a calm sea.
2. not windy or stormy: a calm day.
3. free from excitement or passion; tranquil: a calm face; a calm manner.
–noun
4. freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.
5. Meteorology. wind speed of less than 1 mph (0.447 m/sec).
6. freedom from agitation, excitement, or passion; tranquillity; serenity: She faced the possibility of death with complete calm.
–verb (used with object)
7. to make calm: He calmed the excited dog.
–verb (used without object)
8. to become calm (usually fol. by down).
Origin:
1350–1400; (n., adj.) ME calm(e) < It calma (n.), calmo (adj.) < LL cauma summer heat (with l perh. from L calēre to be hot) < Gk kaûma (s. kaumat-) burning heat; akin to kaíein to burn (see caustic ); (v.) ME calmen < It calmare, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:
calm⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
calmly, adverb
calmness, noun

Synonyms:
1. quiet, motionless. 3. placid, peaceful, serene, self-possessed. Calm, collected, composed, cool imply the absence of agitation. Calm implies an unruffled state, esp. under disturbing conditions: calm in a crisis. Collected implies complete inner command of oneself, usually as the result of an effort: He remained collected in spite of the excitement. One who is composed has or has gained dignified self-possession: pale but composed. Cool implies clarity of judgment along with apparent absence of strong feeling or excitement, esp. in circumstances of danger or strain: so cool that he seemed calm. 7. still, quiet, tranquilize; allay, assuage, mollify, soothe, soften.

Antonyms:
2. tempestuous. 3. agitated.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

calm 
1380, from O.Fr. calme, traditionally from O.It. calma, from L.L. cauma "heat of the mid-day sun" (in Italy, a time when everything rests and is still), from Gk. kauma "heat" (especially of the sun), from kaiein "to burn." Spelling infl. by L. calere "to be hot." Figurative application to social or mental conditions is 16c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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