Tranquilise
/ˈtræŋ.kwɪ.laɪz/noun
To make someone or something calm, quiet, or less agitated.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin tranquillus, meaning calm or still, but the deeper origin of tranquillus remains uncertain rather than being securely derived from a known magical formula.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
tranquillus
“Calm, still, peaceful, or undisturbed; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Late Latin
Latin
tranquillizare
“To make calm or peaceful.”
12th Century
Old French
tranquillier
“To calm or quiet.”
14th Century
English
tranquille
“Calm, peaceful, or undisturbed.”
16th Century
English
tranquilize
“To make tranquil or calm.”
Modern English
British English
tranquilise
“To calm, especially by using a sedative; the spelling with -ise is standard in British English.”
Explore more surprising origins