Equably

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that reflects a calm and balanced disposition without fluctuations in temperament
2. By exhibiting steadiness and composure in emotional responses to various circumstances
3. In a manner characterized by calmness and uniformity without agitation or variation

Etymology: "Equably" is simply "equable" with the adverb ending "-ly" attached, and the adjective "equable" comes from Latin "aequabilis", meaning "uniform" or "level", built from "aequus", "even" or "equal", plus a suffix meaning "able to be". The Latin root "aequus" is the source of the English "equal" and "equity", so the same idea of evenness runs through the whole family. The "-ly" ending has a longer pedigree than the Latin part. It descends from an Old English form "-līċe", which in turn goes back to Germanic words for "body" or "form", so "equably" literally describes acting in a manner having the same form or shape. Over centuries that ending wore down into the familiar "-ly" that now turns almost any adjective into an adverb.

Synonyms: calmly, steadily, evenly, composedly, serenely

Antonyms: unevenly, agitatedly, erratically, unsteadily, restlessly