adj., n., & v.
--adj. (quieter, quietest)
1. with little or no sound or motion.
2 of gentle or peaceful disposition.
3 (of a colour, piece of clothing, etc.) unobtrusive; not showy.
4 not overt; private; disguised (quiet resentment).
5 undisturbed; uninterrupted; free or far from vigorous action (a quiet time for prayer).
6 informal; simple (just a quiet wedding).
7 enjoyed in quiet (a quiet smoke).
8 tranquil; not anxious or remorseful.
--n.
1. silence; stillness.
2 an undisturbed state; tranquillity.
3 a state of being free from urgent tasks or agitation (it is very quiet at work).
4 a peaceful state of affairs (all quiet along the frontier).
--v.
1. tr. sooth, make quiet.
2 intr. (often foll. by down) become quiet or calm.
Phrases and idioms:
be quiet (esp. in imper.) cease talking etc. keep quiet
1. refrain from making a noise.
2 (often foll. by about) suppress or refrain from disclosing information etc. on the quiet unobtrusively; secretly.
Derivatives:
quietly adv. quietness n.
Etymology: ME f. AF quiete f. OF quiet(e), quiet{eacute} f. L quietus past part. of quiescere: see QUIESCENT