Forms: 4–6 calme, 7– calm. [f. CALM a., or perh. a. F. calme-r, which however is only trans. Perh. the trans. sense was really the earlier in English, though evidence fails; the intrans. is not in Johnson.]
1. intr. Of the sea or wind: To become calm. Obs. exc. with down. Also fig.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeless, III. 366. Þan gan it to calme and clere all aboute.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4587. The course of the colde see calmyt.
1569. W. Gibson, in Farr’s S. P. (1845), II. 244. If God command the seas to calme.
1598. W. Phillips, Linschoten’s Trav., in Arb., Garner, III. 22. It … raineth, thundereth, and calmeth.
1599. Shaks., Pass. Pilgr., 312. What though her frowning brows be bent, Her cloudy looks will calm ere night.
1684. Lond. Gaz., No. 1982/2. The wind calming, they were forced to give over the pursuit.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., xi. 265. The excited mass calmed down under this wonderful appeal.
2. trans. To make calm; to quiet, still, tranquilize, appease, pacify. lit. and fig.
1559. Mirr. Mag., Dk. of York, xxiv. 7. Right shall raigne, and quiet calme ech crime.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. iii. 38. Renowned Queene, With patience calme the Storme.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 594. Go, waken Eve; Her also I with gentle Dreams have calm’d.
1709. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., lxv. 107. [She] can also … calm my passions.
1783. Pott, Chirurg., Wks., II. 436. When … that inflammation is calmed.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 122. She calm’d herself.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., Heroism, Wks. (Bohn), I. 110. It may calm the apprehension of calamity.
† 3. To delay (a ship) by a calm; to becalm.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. ix. 33. A ship that, having ’scaped a tempest, Is straightway calm’d [1623 calme]. Ibid. (1604), Oth., I. i. 30. I … must be be-leed, and calm’d.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., It is not uncommon for the vessels to be calmed, or becalmed, as the sailors express it.
