Quieted

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Became less loud or noisy, making a quieter sound or atmosphere ; became calmer or less agitated in feelings or mood
2. Reduced the volume or noise level, causing silence or near silence ; soothed or steadied emotional or mental state to reduce unrest
3. Diminished sounds or disturbances, bringing about a peaceful environment ; settled or eased emotional tension or excitement

Etymology: "Quieted" is the past tense and past participle of "quiet," so its history is that of the verb "quiet" itself, which came into English as an adjective and only later became a verb. The adjective traces back through Old French "quiet" to Latin "quietus," meaning at rest, calm, or undisturbed, from the verb "quiescere," to become still. English first used "quiet" as an adjective meaning free from noise or motion, and the verb followed from it, meaning to make quiet, to calm, or to still. The verb's sense of soothing a person or mind grew naturally from its basic idea of stilling movement or sound. To quiet a crowd, a child, or a fear is to bring it to rest, which is why the emotional and physical meanings sit side by side in the word today.

Synonyms: calmed, soothed, hushed, silenced, pacified

Antonyms: agitated, loud, disturbed, excited, raucous