Cool
/kuːl/noun
An informal term indicating a state of being moderately cold or a positive, admirable quality.
Did you know?In the 19th century, 'cool' was often associated with composure in the face of danger, linking it to survival instincts and emotional control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gel-
“to freeze or be cold, evoking a sense of chill.”
Old English
Old English
cōl
“cool, cold; used to describe temperature and emotional temperament.”
Middle English
Middle English
cole
“cool, often used in poetic contexts to describe refreshing feelings.”
19th Century
English
cool
“adopted as slang to describe a state of calmness or stylishness, reflecting emotional detachment.”
Modern English
English
cool
“widely recognized as a term for both temperature and a positive quality of demeanor.”