calm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun steadiness of mind under stress
    equanimity; calmness; composure.
    • he accepted their problems with composure and she with equanimity
  2. noun wind moving at less than 1 knot; 0 on the Beaufort scale
    calm air.
  3. verb make calm or still
    still; tranquilize; tranquillize; calm down; quiet; tranquillise; quieten; lull.
    • quiet the dragons of worry and fear
  4. verb make steady
    becalm; steady.
    • steady yourself
  5. verb become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation
    cool off; calm down; simmer down; cool it; chill out; settle down.
    • After the fight both men need to cool off.
    • It took a while after the baby was born for things to settle down again.
  6. verb cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to
    tranquilize; tranquillize; sedate; tranquillise.
    • The patient must be sedated before the operation
  7. adjective satellite not agitated; without losing self-possession
    serene; unagitated; tranquil.
    • spoke in a calm voice
    • remained calm throughout the uproar
    • he remained serene in the midst of turbulence
    • a serene expression on her face
    • she became more tranquil
    • tranquil life in the country
  8. adjective (of weather) free from storm or wind
    • calm seas

WordNet

Calm noun
Etymology
OE. calme, F. calme, fr. It. or Sp. calma (cf. Pg. calma heat), prob. fr. LL. cauma heat, fr. Gr. burning heat, fr. to burn; either because during a great heat there is generally also a calm, or because the hot time of the day obliges us seek for shade and quiet; cf. Caustic
Definitions
  1. Freodom from motion, agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or abeence of that which causes motion or disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility; stilness; quiet; serenity.
    The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark. iv. 39.
    A calm before a storm is commonly a peace of a man's own making. South.
Calm intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. calmer. See Calm, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Calmed ; present participle & verbal noun Calming
Definitions
  1. To make calm; to render still or quet, as elements; as, to calm the winds.
    To calm the tempest raised by Eolus. Dryden.
  2. To deliver from agitation or excitement; to still or soothe, as the mind or passions.
    Passions which seem somewhat calmed. .
    Syn. -- To still; quiet; appease; ally; pacigy; tranquilize; soothe; compose; assuage; check; restrain.
Calm adjective
Wordforms
comparative Calmer ; superlative Calmest
Definitions
  1. Not stormy; without motion, as of winds or waves; still; quiet; serene; undisturbed. "Calm was the day." Spenser.
    Now all is calm, and fresh, and still. Bryant.
  2. Undisturbed by passion or emotion; not agitated or excited; tranquil; quiet in act or speech. "Calm and sinless peace." Milton. "With calm attention." Pope.
    Such calm old age as conscience pure And self-commanding hearts ensure. Keble.
    Syn. -- Still; quiet; undisturbed; tranquil; peaceful; serene; composed; unruffled; sedate; collected; placid.

Webster 1913