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quiet definition

quiet (kwīət)

adjective

  1. still; calm; motionless
    1. not noisy; hushed a quiet motor
    2. not speaking; silent
  2. not agitated, as in motion; gentle a quiet sea
  3. not easily excited or disturbed a quiet disposition
  4. not ostentatious or pretentious quiet furnishings
  5. not forward; unobtrusive a quiet manner
  6. secluded a quiet den
  7. peaceful and relaxing a quiet evening at home
  8. Commerce not busy a quiet day on the stock exchange

Etymology: ME quiete < OFr < L quietus, pp. of quiescere, to become quiet < quies (gen. quietis), rest < IE base *kweye-, to rest > while

noun

  1. a quiet state or condition; calmness, stillness, inactivity, freedom from noise, etc.
  2. a quiet or peaceful quality; freedom from turmoil or agitation

transitive verb

  1. to make quiet; calm or pacify, bring to rest, etc.
  2. to allay (fear, doubt, etc.)
  3. Law to make (a title) unassailable by freeing the fact of ownership from interference, disturbance, or question

intransitive verb

to become quiet: usually with down

adverb

in a quiet manner

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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