calm

[kahm; older use kam; spelling pronunciation kahlm] /kɑm; older use kæm; spelling pronunciation kɑlm/
adjective, calmer, calmest.
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 mile per hour (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 followed by down).
Origin
1350-1400; (noun, adj.) Middle English calm(e) < Italian calma (noun), calmo (adj.) < Late Latin cauma summer heat (with l perhaps from Latin calēre to be hot) < Greek kaûma (stem kaumat-) burning heat; akin to kaíein to burn (see caustic); (v.) Middle English calmen < Italian calmare, derivative of the noun
Related forms
calmingly, adverb
calmly, adverb
calmness, noun
quasi-calm, adjective
quasi-calmly, adverb
uncalm, adjective
uncalmly, adverb
uncalmness, 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, especially 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, especially 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.
Examples from the web for calm
  • Cool colors tend to make people feel calm and restful.
  • Trying to put out all these fires with calm, cool rationality is exhausting and unsuccessful.
  • The more care you provide it, the more it becomes quiet, and calm from it's demands being met.
  • Imagine trying to remain calm and composed while working in the middle of a war zone, a natural disaster, or other crisis.
  • But subjectively, it shows a politician who is calm and cool under fire from the rabid opposition.
  • Big, rounded shapes and pastel-tinted spreads encourage calm, while rhythmic verses describe action.
  • The air of lazy calm is deceptive, however.
  • This gripping document, a singular addition to Holocaust literature, speaks with calm clarity of the century's worst crimes.
  • Streamlined vessels for bathing products help maintain the calm simplicity of the room.
  • While one guy holds the horse to calm him down, the other slips on the bridle and then a blanket and saddle.
British Dictionary definitions for calm

calm

/kɑːm/
adjective
1.
almost without motion; still: a calm sea
2.
(meteorol) of force 0 on the Beaufort scale; without wind
3.
not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under control: he stayed calm throughout the confusion
4.
tranquil; serene: a calm voice
noun
5.
an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness
6.
absence of wind
7.
tranquillity
verb
8.
(often foll by down) to make or become calm
Derived Forms
calmly, adverb
calmness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French calme, from Old Italian calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, hence a rest during the heat of the day, from Greek kauma heat, from kaiein to burn
Word Origin and History for calm
adj.

late 14c., from Old French calme "tranquility, quiet," traditionally from Old Italian calma, from Late Latin cauma "heat of the mid-day sun" (in Italy, a time when everything rests and is still), from Greek kauma "heat" (especially of the sun), from kaiein "to burn" (see caustic). Spelling influenced by Latin calere "to be hot." Figurative application to social or mental conditions is 16c.

n.

late 14c., from Old French calme, carme "stillness, quiet, tranquility," from the adjective (see calm (adj.)).

v.

late 14c., from Old French calmer or from calm (adj.). Related: Calmed; calming.

Related Abbreviations for calm

CALM

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