not excited, angry, or worried; quiet and relaxed
Even during the emergency, the nurse stayed calm and gave clear instructions.
A cup of herbal tea helps me feel calm before bedtime.
✦ From Middle English calme, from Old French calme, ultimately from Latin cauma “heat of the day, rest in the heat”, later “quiet”.
to make someone or something quiet and relaxed, or to become quiet and relaxed
The mother gently sang to calm her baby when he cried.
Deep breaths can calm your nerves before a speech.
✦ Same origin as the adjective: Middle English calme from Old French, ultimately Latin cauma.
a peaceful, quiet state with little or no movement, noise, or excitement
After the argument, a surprising calm settled over the room.
Sailors fear the sudden calm that can leave a ship stranded.
✦ Evolved from the adjective sense to describe the state or quality itself.
