freedom from excitement; peacefulness; tranquillity:Calm returned once more to our little village.
v.
to (cause to) become quiet, peaceful, or free from worry: [no object; (~ + down)]The sky and sea calmed (down) and the sun came out.[~ + object]The Gospels claim that Jesus calmed the sea.[~ + down + object]Can't you calm down those children?[~ + object + down]Maybe this drink will calm you down.
calm, collected, composed, cool all carry a meaning of "free from being overly excited.'' calm implies staying steady in the midst of disturbance all around: He remained calm throughout the crisis. collected implies having complete command of one's thoughts, feelings, and behavior, usually as a result of effort: The witness was remarkably collected during questioning. composed implies having inner peace with dignity and some self-confidence: He was pale but composed during the interview. cool suggests having clear judgment without strong feelings: He was cool in the face of danger.
calm(käm; older kam; spelling pron. kälm),USA pronunciationadj.,-er, -est,n., v. adj.
without rough motion; still or nearly still:a calm sea.
not windy or stormy:a calm day.
free from excitement or passion; tranquil:a calm face; a calm manner.
n.
freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.
Meteorologywind speed of less than 1 mph (0.447 m/sec).
freedom from agitation, excitement, or passion; tranquillity; serenity:She faced the possibility of death with complete calm.
v.t.
to make calm:He calmed the excited dog.
v.i.
to become calm (usually fol. by down).
Italian calmare, derivative of the noun, nominal
Greek kaûma (stem kaumat-) burning heat; akin to kaíein to burn (see caustic); (verb, verbal) Middle English calmen
Late Latin cauma summer heat (with l perh. from Latin calēre to be hot)
Italian calma (noun, nominal), calmo (adjective, adjectival)
(noun, nominal, adjective, adjectival) Middle English calm(e) 1350–1400
calm′ing•ly, adv. calm′ly, adv. calm′ness, n.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged quiet, motionless.
3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged 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.
not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under control
tranquil; serene: a calm voice
an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness
an absence of wind
tranquillity
(often followed by down)to make or become calm
Etymology: 14th Century: 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 burnˈcalmlyˈcalmness
'calm down' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):