hushed

UK: hʌʃt | US: hʌʃt

Definition

  1. adj. (of a sound) very quiet; softened

  2. adj. (of a person or place) silent or subdued

Structure
hush <to make quiet>ed <adjective suffix (past participle)>
Etymology

The word "hushed" originates from the verb "hush," which emerged in the mid-16th century, likely imitative of the sound used to quiet someone ("shh"). The suffix "-ed" transforms it into an adjective, describing a state of being made quiet. The progression from an imperative sound to a descriptive term reflects how language evolves from auditory cues to abstract concepts.

Examples

  1. The library was hushed, with only the occasional rustle of pages.

  2. She spoke in a hushed tone to avoid waking the baby.

  3. The crowd grew hushed as the speaker took the stage.

  4. The forest was hushed after the snowfall.

  5. His hushed apology barely reached her ears.