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adj. qui·et·er, qui·et·est 1. Making or characterized by little or no noise: a quiet library; a quiet street; a quiet, well tuned engine. 2. a. Free of turmoil and agitation; calm: a quiet lake; a quiet place in the country. b. Providing or allowing relaxation; restful; soothing: a quiet afternoon nap; a quiet tune on the flute. 3. Not showy or bright; subdued: a room decorated in quiet colors. 4. Restrained, as in style; understated: a quiet strength; a quiet life. 5. Out of public scrutiny; known or discussed by few: wanted to keep the incident quiet until after the election. n. The quality or condition of being quiet: "A menacing quiet fills the empty streets" (Time). v. qui·et·ed, qui·et·ing, qui·ets v.tr. 1. To cause to become quiet: The teacher quieted the students. 2. To make (a title) secure by freeing from uncertainties or adverse claims as to the ownership. v.intr. To become quiet: The child wouldn't quiet down for me. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere, to rest; see kweiə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] quiet·ly adv. quiet·ness n. Synonyms: quiet, silent, still1, noiseless, soundless These adjectives mean marked by or making no sound, noise, or movement. Quiet suggests the absence of bustle, tumult, or agitation: "life being very short, and the quiet hours of it few" (John Ruskin). Silent can suggest a profound hush: "I like the silent church before the service begins" (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Still implies lack of motion or disturbance and often connotes rest or tranquility: "But after tempest ... / There came a day as still as heaven" (Tennyson). Noiseless and soundless imply the absence of disturbing sound: "th' inaudible and noiseless foot of time" (Shakespeare). "the soundless footsteps on the grass" (John Galsworthy). |
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