Calm, a. [compar. Calmer; super. Calmest]
1. Not stormy; without motion, as of winds or waves; still; quiet; serene; undisturbed. "Calm was the day." Spenser. Now all is calm, and fresh, and still. Bryant.
2. Undisturbed by passion or emotion; not agitated or excited; tranquil; quiet in act or speech. "Calm and sinless peace." Milton. "With calm attention." Pope. Such calm old age as conscience pure And self-commanding hearts ensure. Keble.
Syn. -- Still; quiet; undisturbed; tranquil; peaceful; serene; composed; unruffled; sedate; collected; placid.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Calm, n.
Freodom from motion, agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or abeence of that which causes motion or disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility; stilness; quiet; serenity. The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark. iv. 39. A calm before a storm is commonly a peace of a man's own making. South.
Calm, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Calmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Calming.]
1. To make calm; to render still or quet, as elements; as, to calm the winds. To calm the tempest raised by Eolus. Dryden.
2. To deliver from agitation or excitement; to still or soothe, as the mind or passions. Passions which seem somewhat calmed.
Syn. -- To still; quiet; appease; ally; pacigy; tranquilize; soothe; compose; assuage; check; restrain.
Shades of meaning
That is calm which is free from disturbance or agitation; in the physical sense, free from violent motion or action; in the mental or spiritual realm, free from excited or disturbing emotion or passion. We speak of a calm sea, a placid lake, a serene sky, a still night, a quiet day, a quiet home. We speak, also, of "still waters," "smooth sailing," which are different modes of expressing freedom from manifest agitation. Of mental conditions, one is calm who triumphs over a tendency to excitement; cool, if he scarcely feels the tendency. One may be calm by the very reaction from excitement, or by the oppression of overpowering emotion, as we speak of the calmness of despair. One is composed who has subdued excited feeling; he is collected when he has every thought, feeling, or perception awake and at command. Tranquil refers to a present state, placid, to a prevailing tendency. We speak of a tranquil mind, a placid disposition. The serene spirit dwells as if in the clear upper air, above all storm and shadow.
The star of the unconquered will, He rises in my breast, Serene, and resolute, and still, And calm, and self-possessed.
LONGFELLOW Light of Stars st. 7.