I. sə̇ˈdāt, sēˈ-, usu -ād.+V adjective
( usually -er/-est )
Etymology: Latin sedatus, from past participle of sedare to settle, calm, soothe, appease, caus. of sedēre to sit — more at sit
1.
a. : uninfluenced or not liable to influence by disturbing elements : quiet , dispassionate
a balance so calm and sedate as to exclude rapture — John Dewey
b. : of a staid, sober, or grave nature or constitution
the more sedate winter settlers who find antic youth somewhat less attractive than their rocking-chair companions — C.L.Biemiller
2. : characteristic of or suitable to sedate persons : placid or unobtrusive in appearance or nature
in their sedate beauty of ruby and brown, the trees stretched ahead — T.B.Costain
a sober brown cover, broken only by a sedate listing of its table of contents — J.D.Adams
Synonyms: see serious
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from sedative
: to put (a patient) under the influence of a sedative drug