Tame
/teɪm/noun
To domesticate or subdue an animal or plant.
Did you know?The word 'tame' shares its origins with 'dominion', hinting at ancient power dynamics between humans and nature.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dam-
“to tame or subdue, often connected to mastery over nature.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δαμάζω (damazō)
“to subdue or bring into submission, often used in the context of training animals.”
Old English
Old English
tam
“subdued, gentle, or domesticated, primarily used for animals.”
Middle English
Middle English
tame
“made meek or gentle, often in reference to both animals and people.”
Modern English
English
tame
“to bring under control, often used in both literal and metaphorical senses.”