tamed

American  

[teymd] / teɪmd /

adjective

1. (of animals) changed from the wild or savage state, so as to be gentle and unafraid of humans; domesticated.

   If released into the wild, a tamed lion is an easy target for hunters.

2. (of a person or disposition) made tractable, docile, or submissive.

   My whole life I have struggled not to become the tamed child of institutionalized education.

3. (of natural resources, etc.) brought under control and into service; made useful and manageable.

   When the dam was complete and the tamed river swelled into a lake, steamboats plied its waters for excursions.

4. deprived of excitement, interest, attractiveness, or risk; made safe and dull.

   According to Kloosterman, a “fully tamed city” is not just boring, but also stiffening—it stifles flexibility.

5. deprived of courage, ardor, or zest.

   Tamed faith cannot dispel shame or reach out to lovingly reclaim someone who has gone astray.

6. (of land or plants) cultivated.

   The vine is a tamed plant; its growth rate, amount of foliage, and fruit production are closely controlled by pruning and thinning.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of tame.

Other Word Forms

• untamed adjective
• well-tamed adjective

Etymology

Origin of tamed

First recorded in 1580–90; tame + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; tame + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Related Words

• beaten
• crushed