— mellowly , adv. — mellowness , n.
/mel"oh/ , adj., mellower, mellowest , v. , n.
adj.
1. soft, sweet, and full-flavored from ripeness, as fruit.
2. well-matured, as wines.
3. soft and rich, as sound, tones, color, or light.
4. made gentle and compassionate by age or maturity; softened.
5. friable or loamy, as soil.
6. mildly and pleasantly intoxicated or high.
7. pleasantly agreeable; free from tension, discord, etc.: a mellow neighborhood.
8. affably relaxed; easygoing; genial: a mellow teacher who is very popular with her students.
v.t. , v.i.
9. to make or become mellow.
10. mellow out , Slang.
a. to become detached from worry, strife, stress, etc.; relax: After final exams let's go down to the beach and mellow out.
b. to make more relaxed, agreeable, workable, etc.; soften or smooth: Chopin really mellows me out when I'm feeling tense.
n.
11. Slang. a state, atmosphere, or mood of ease and gentle relaxation.
[ 1400-50; late ME mel ( o ) we, alter. (perh. by dissimilation, in phrase meruw fruit ) of ME meruw, OE meru soft ]
Syn. 1. See ripe. 9. develop, mature, improve.
Ant. 1. immature, raw, green. 3. harsh.