sedate

[ si-deyt ]

adjective

1. calm, quiet, or composed; undisturbed by passion or excitement:

   a sedate party;

   a sedate horse.

   Synonyms: unperturbed, unruffled, serene, collected

verb (used with object)

, se·dat·ed, se·dat·ing.

1. to put (a person) under sedation.

sedate

¹

/ sɪˈdeɪt /

verb

1. tr to administer a sedative to

sedate

²

/ sɪˈdeɪt /

adjective

1. habitually calm and composed in manner; serene
2. staid, sober, or decorous

Derived Forms

• seˈdately, adverb
• seˈdateness, noun

Other Words From

• se·date·ly adverb
• se·date·ness noun
• un·se·date adjective
• un·se·date·ly adverb
• un·se·date·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sedate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin sēdātus (past participle of sēdāre “to allay, quieten”); akin to sedēre “to sit”; sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sedate¹

C20: back formation from sedative

Origin of sedate²

C17: from Latin sēdāre to soothe; related to sedēre to sit

Synonym Study

See staid.

Example Sentences

The Veterinary Council of Thailand, which warned of the dangers of sedating animals, said it would take relevant action on the case.

From BBC

After the tourists were forced on to the back foot early, the opener played an uncharacteristically sedate knock to lend some respect to the England total.

From BBC

The unusually sedate gathering ended with Fury tickling the champion after the obligatory face-off.

From BBC

It sounds straightforward, but patients must be sedated for the procedure, which means they lose a day of work.

From Los Angeles Times

The woman was so heavily sedated she was not aware of the repeat abuse, her lawyers say.

From BBC

Related Words

• decorous
• dignified
• laid-back
• placid
• quiet
• serene
• sober
• solemn
• somber
• staid
• tranquil
• unflappable