tame
UK: teɪm | US: teɪm
adj. domesticated or gentle; not wild or aggressive
vt. to make an animal docile or manageable
adj. (of a person) submissive or unexciting
The word "tame" originates from Old English tam, meaning "domesticated" or "subdued," derived from Proto-Germanic tamaz. It shares roots with Old Norse tamr and German zahm, all conveying the idea of bringing something under control. The silent "e" in Modern English is a vestige of Middle English spelling conventions. The core concept of subduing wildness has remained consistent, extending metaphorically to describe people or situations lacking spontaneity.
The zookeeper worked hard to tame the lion cub.
Her once rebellious spirit seemed strangely tame after marriage.
Wild rabbits are harder to tame than domesticated breeds.
The documentary explored how early humans first tamed fire.
Critics dismissed the film as visually stunning but thematically tame.