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calm

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɑɫm// UK //kˈɑːm// calm General-service Slang

n. a quiet and peaceful state where there is no worry, noise, or excitement. You can use it to describe a person's feelings or the atmosphere of a place.

n. a state of tranquility or serenity, characterized by the absence of agitation, excitement, or disturbance. Often used to describe psychological states or environmental conditions.


SIMPLE

The soft music brought a sense of calm to the room.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the chaos of the city outside, the hidden garden offered a rare moment of calm for the travelers.

COMPLEX

The captain maintained an impressive calm throughout the storm, providing the necessary leadership to guide the vessel safely back to the harbor.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English calm, calme, from Middle French calme, probably from Old Italian calma, of uncertain origin. Calma may derive from Late Latin cauma (“heat of the midday sun”), from Ancient Greek καῦμα (kaûma, “heat, especially of the sun”), from καίω (kaíō, “to burn”), or possibly from Latin caleō. Compare also Lombardic chalm, chalma (“frozenness”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *kalmaz (“frozenness, cold”). Displaced native Middle English smilte (“quiet, still, gentle”) from Old English smylte (“quiet, tranquil, calm, serene”).

Usage

Frequently functions as the object of the preposition 'in' or follows the verb 'keep'.

Idioms1 entry

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