tranquilize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to

   The doctor tranquilised the rowdy patient.

2. 2
   verb

   to make calm or still

   The soothing music tranquillized the crowd.

3. 3
   verb

   To calm (a person or animal) or put them to sleep using a tranquilizer dart.

   The escaped lion was finally tracked down, tranquilized, and safely returned to the zoo.

4. 4
   verb

   To make (something or someone) tranquil.

   1779, Frances Burney, Evelina, Dublin: Price, Corcoran et al., Volume 2, Letter 14, p. 87, […] with words of sweetest kindness and consolation, he soothed and tranquilised me.

5. 5
   verb

   To become tranquil.

   Seest thou not, that this unseasonable gravity is admitted to quell the palpitations of this unmanageable heart? But still it will go on with its boundings. I’ll try, as I ride in my chariot, to tranquillize.

6. 6
   verb

   To dart (a person or animal) with a sedative

   The bear should go down several minutes after being tranquilized.

Etymology

From Middle French tranquiliser. Analyzable as tranquil + -ize.