I. sə̇ˈrēn adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Latin serenus clear, fair, calm (of weather), peaceful, cheerful; akin to Old High German serawēn to become dry, Greek xeron dry land, xēros dry
1.
a. : completely clear, fine, or balmy : suggesting or conducive to calm peacefulness free of storms or unpleasant change
serene weather
serene skies
serene will be our days and bright — William Wordsworth
b. : shining bright and steady and unobscured
elegant contrasts between … the serene shining of the planets and our hot feverish lives — L.P.Smith
2. : marked by or suggestive of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude without suggestions of agitation, trouble, fitful activity, or sudden change
to the end his mind remained serene and undisturbed — W.S.Maugham
a serene expression upon her face — Samuel Butler †1902
genuine intellectual certainty is generally serene — Gilbert Murray
myself sitting all serene in the rest house — Arthur Grimble
a serene lake
3. : most high — used as part of a royal style
His Serene Highness
Synonyms: see calm
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin serenare, from serenus serene
archaic : to make serene : tranquilize
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin serenum, from neuter of serenus serene
1. : a serene condition or expanse (as of sky, sea, or light)
the blue deep's serene — Lord Byron
the day's intense serene — P.B.Shelley
2. : serenity , tranquillity , calmness
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French serein serein, from earlier serain evening, nightfall — more at serein
obsolete : the cool or damp of evening air