— tamely , adv. — tameness , n. — tamer , n.
/taym/ , adj., tamer, tamest , v. , tamed, taming .
adj.
1. changed from the wild or savage state; domesticated: a tame bear.
2. without the savageness or fear of humans normal in wild animals; gentle, fearless, or without shyness, as if domesticated: That lion acts as tame as a house cat.
3. tractable, docile, or submissive, as a person or the disposition.
4. lacking in excitement; dull; insipid: a very tame party.
5. spiritless or pusillanimous.
6. not to be taken very seriously; without real power or importance; serviceable but harmless: They kept a tame scientist around.
7. brought into service; rendered useful and manageable; under control, as natural resources or a source of power.
8. cultivated or improved by cultivation, as a plant or its fruit.
v.t.
9. to make tame; domesticate; make tractable.
10. to deprive of courage, ardor, or zest.
11. to deprive of interest, excitement, or attractiveness; make dull.
12. to soften; tone down.
13. to harness or control; render useful, as a source of power.
14. to cultivate, as land or plants.
v.i.
15. to become tame.
[ bef. 900; (adj.) ME; OE tam; c. D tam, G zahm, ON tamr; (v.) ME tamen, deriv. of the adj.; r. ME temen to tame, OE temian, deriv. of tam; c. ON temja, Goth gatamjan; akin to L domare to tame ]
Syn. 3. meek, subdued. 4. flat, empty, vapid, boring, tedious, uninteresting. 5. cowardly, dastardly. 9. break, subdue. 12. calm, mollify.
Ant. 1. wild.