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calming

 - 3 dictionary results

calm

[kahm; older kam; spelling pron. kahlm] adjective, -er, -est, noun, verb
–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.


calm⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
calmly, adverb
calmness, noun


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.


2. tempestuous. 3. agitated.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To calming
calm   (käm)   
adj.   calm·er, calm·est
  1. Nearly or completely motionless; undisturbed: the calm surface of the lake.

  2. Not excited or agitated; composed: The President was calm throughout the global crisis.

n.  
  1. An absence or cessation of motion; stillness.

  2. Serenity; tranquillity; peace.

  3. A condition of no wind or a wind with a speed of less than 1 knot (1.15 miles per hour; 1.9 kilometers per hour), according to the Beaufort scale.

tr. & intr.v.   calmed, calm·ing, calms
To make or become calm or quiet: A warm bath will calm you. After the storm, the air calmed.

[Middle English calme, from Old French, from Old Italian calmo, from Late Latin cauma, heat of the day, resting place in the heat of the day, from Greek kauma, burning heat, from kaiein, to burn. N., from Middle English calme, from Italian calma, from Vulgar Latin *calma, from Late Latin.]
calm'ly adv., calm'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives denote absence of excitement or disturbance: calm acceptance of the inevitable; hoped for a more tranquil life in the country; a soothing, placid tempermant; spent a serene, restful weekend at the lake; a peaceful hike through the scenic hills.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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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