quietude
/ˈkwaɪ.ɪˌtjuːd/
noun
Origin
Latin
quiētūdo — quietness, rest
Overview
Meaning Now
- A state of stillness, calmness, or tranquility.
- A state of quiet or silence.
Literal older meaning
the state of being quiet
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
quietude
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term entered the English language during the Early Modern period, reflecting an increase in the use of Latinate vocabulary to describe abstract states of being or conditions. It is closely related to the evolution of the concept of 'quiet' as a noun versus an adjective.
Evolution
- Latin
quiētus
“at rest, quiet”
- Latin
quiētūdo
“state of being quiet”
Formation with suffix -tudo.
- Middle French
quietude
“tranquility”
Direct borrowing from Latin.
- English
quietude
“state of stillness”
First recorded in the early 17th century.
Connections
Word parts
quiet
root
still
-ude
suffix
state or condition
Related across languages
French
quiétude
peace of mind
Spanish
quietud
quietness
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Related to quietude
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.