Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To make tranquil; pacify.
  • intransitive verb To sedate or relieve of anxiety or tension by the administration of a drug.
  • intransitive verb To become tranquil; relax.
  • intransitive verb To have a calming or soothing effect.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To render tranquil or quiet; allay when agitated; compose; make calm or peaceful.
  • Synonyms To quiet, still, soothe, calm, lull, hush.
  • To become tranquil; also, to exert a quieting or calming effect.
  • Also spelled tranquilise, tranquillise.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To render tranquil; to allay when agitated; to compose; to make calm and peaceful

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To use a drug to sedate a person or animal.
  • verb To make something or someone tranquil; to pacify or calm.
  • verb intransitive To become tranquil; to relax.
  • verb intransitive To calm down.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to
  • verb make calm or still

Etymologies

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Examples

  • For example, some species tranquilize aphids with drugs to keep them docile and “milk” them with their antennae for a treat of sugary honeydew.

    SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

  • He would tranquilize the realm after three decades of tumult and wars and heartbreaking bids to re-make the country.

    Rebellion in the Land of the Pharaohs Fouad Ajami 2011

  • After an unsuccessful attempt by Finnish trackers to tranquilize and relocate him, local hunters shot and killed him.

    A Country Gone to the Wolves Patrick McGroarty 2011

  • Biosphere Expeditions Helping Scientists tranquilize and attach collars to leopards in Namibia, to learn more about the elusive animals' predatory habits On a private game farm an hour from the capital city of Windhoek, scientists and as many as a dozen volunteers with the international nonprofit Biosphere Expeditions are testing an idea that may offer some protection to both camps.

    Saving the World—One Vacation at a Time Anne Tergesen 2011

  • After an unsuccessful attempt by Finnish trackers to tranquilize and relocate him, local hunters shot and killed him.

    A Country Gone to the Wolves Patrick McGroarty 2011

  • As opposed to paying a company thousands of dollars to tranquilize and relocate the bears.

    Oklahoma Bear Hunt Goes To Governor 2009

  • Catch and release deer hunting where you tranquilize trophy deer, get your picture and then go home.

    Potential African Record Black Marlin Eaten By Sharks 2010

  • Catch and release deer hunting where you tranquilize trophy deer, get your picture and then go home.

    Potential African Record Black Marlin Eaten By Sharks 2010

  • As opposed to paying a company thousands of dollars to tranquilize and relocate the bears.

    Oklahoma Bear Hunt Goes To Governor 2009

  • Staff and volunteers temporarily trap and tranquilize the cats to attach collars that transmit radio or GPS signals.

    Saving the World—One Vacation at a Time Anne Tergesen 2011

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