Library / English Dictionary

CALM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Steadiness of mind under stress

Example:

he accepted their problems with composure and she with equanimity

Synonyms:

calm; calmness; composure; equanimity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("calm" is a kind of...):

disposition; temperament (your usual mood)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "calm"):

aplomb; assuredness; cool; poise; sang-froid (great coolness and composure under strain)

placidity; quiet; repose; serenity; tranquility; tranquillity (a disposition free from stress or emotion)

Derivation:

calm (cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to)

calm (become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation)

calm (not agitated; without losing self-possession)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Wind moving at less than 1 knot; 0 on the Beaufort scale

Synonyms:

calm; calm air

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Hypernyms ("calm" is a kind of...):

air current; current of air; wind (air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure)

Holonyms ("calm" is a part of...):

Beaufort scale; wind scale (an international scale of wind force from 0 (calm air) to 12 (hurricane))

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of weather) free from storm or wind

Example:

calm seas

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

placid; quiet; smooth; still; tranquil; unruffled ((of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves)

settled (not changeable)

windless (without or almost without wind)

Also:

peaceable; peaceful (not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war)

Antonym:

stormy ((especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion)

Derivation:

calmness (an absence of strong winds or rain)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not agitated; without losing self-possession

Example:

tranquil life in the country

Synonyms:

calm; serene; tranquil; unagitated

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

composed (serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress)

Derivation:

calm; calmness (steadiness of mind under stress)

calmness (a feeling of calm; an absence of agitation or excitement)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to

Example:

The patient must be sedated before the operation

Synonyms:

calm; sedate; tranquilize; tranquillise; tranquillize

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "calm" is one way to...):

affect (act physically on; have an effect upon)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "calm"):

hypnotise; hypnotize; mesmerise; mesmerize (induce hypnosis in)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

calm (steadiness of mind under stress)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make steady

Example:

steady yourself

Synonyms:

becalm; calm; steady

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "calm" is one way to...):

stabilise; stabilize (become stable or more stable)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation

Example:

It took a while after the baby was born for things to settle down again.

Synonyms:

calm; calm down; chill out; cool it; cool off; settle down; simmer down

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "calm" is one way to...):

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

calm (steadiness of mind under stress)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Make calm or still

Example:

quiet the dragons of worry and fear

Synonyms:

calm; calm down; lull; quiet; quieten; still; tranquilize; tranquillise; tranquillize

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "calm" is one way to...):

comfort; console; solace; soothe (give moral or emotional strength to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "calm"):

lull (calm by deception)

compose (calm (someone, especially oneself); make quiet)

appease; assuage; conciliate; gentle; gruntle; lenify; mollify; pacify; placate (cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of)

assure; reassure (cause to feel sure; give reassurance to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to calm Sue

Antonym:

agitate (cause to be agitated, excited, or roused)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Your doctor may prescribe a medicine that can calm muscles and nerves.

(Overactive Bladder, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

A plant whose daisy-like flowers are used in tea to calm and relax, improve sleep, and help stomach problems.

(German chamomile, NCI Dictionary)

When sprayed directly onto the skin or scalp, this topical spray may have a calming, moisturizing, healing and nurturing effect.

(Evaux Spring Water-based Topical Spray, NCI Thesaurus)

A question about whether an individual feels or felt calm and peaceful.

(Have You Felt Calm and Peaceful, NCI Thesaurus)

While under hypnosis, a person may feel calm, relaxed, and more open to suggestion.

(Hypnosis, NCI Dictionary)

Marjoram oil is reported to have sedative effects and to be useful in calming asthma and other respiratory symptoms.

(Origanum majorana Leaf Extract, NCI Thesaurus)

There was a calm assurance of power in Holmes’s manner which could not be withstood.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The dried flowers are used in teas to calm and relax, to improve sleep, and to help with stomach problems.

(English chamomile, NCI Dictionary)

Martin marvelled at the calm repose of his face.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

That the weather being calm, he rowed round me several times, observed my windows and wire lattices that defended them.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)