Lullers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Those who soothe or calm by gentle sounds or movements; individuals who cause others to relax or become less alert; agents that temporarily decrease activity or intensity
2. Persons who bring about a state of tranquility or drowsiness through soft noises or motion; characters who induce a sense of peacefulness or reduce vigilance; elements that create a pause or reduction in action or excitement
3. Entities that produce a calming effect often by quiet or rhythmic stimuli; people who encourage relaxation or decrease responsiveness; factors that lead to temporary cessation or easing of tension or unrest

Etymology: "Lullers" is the plural of "luller," a noun built from "lull" and the agent suffix "-er," meaning one who or that which performs the action. So a luller is literally something that lulls, and the plural simply names more than one such agent or person. The base verb "lull" is the more interesting part of the story. It seems to have originated as an imitative word, formed from the soft, repeated "lu" sound that people make when soothing a child or a restless animal. Its core sense is therefore tied to calming by rhythm and gentle sound, which explains why the noun still points toward soothing sounds and movements, and also toward anything that dulls alertness or intensity.

Synonyms: calmers, soothers, pacifiers

Antonyms: agitators, disturbers, provokers