v. [f. QUIET a. + -EN5.]
1. trans. To make quiet.
1828. in Craven Gloss.
1844. N. Brit. Rev., I. 182. To ‘quieten’ the children … is not English.
1853. Mrs. Gaskell, Ruth, III. x. 280. I will stay,… partly to quieten the fears of this poor, faithful fellow.
1888. Chamb. Jrnl., 7 April, 223/2. The incident did not quieten the audience.
2. intr. To become quiet. Commonly with down.
1890. C. Dixon, Stray Feathers, v. 67. They soon quieten down.
1897. Westm. Gaz., 21 Aug., 5/1. Towards the close the market quietened.
Hence Quietener, = next. (Cf. QUIETANT.)
1882. Fraser’s Mag., XXV. 35. The poisonous method of giving soothing or narcotic quieteners to children.
