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Definition of Lull

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Related Tags: lull | word | lullen | sanskrit | intransitive
 

Instructions

An Interesting Word

  • Step 1:
    The word "lull" first appeared in the English language in 1659. Yet it derives directly from the Middle English word "lullen," and possibly originates from Low German.

As a Transitive Verb

  • Step 1:
    The primary definition of "Lull" in the American Heritage Dictionary is a gentle one: "To cause to sleep or rest; to soothe or calm." An example would be a mother singing a lullaby to her child, a sweet reminder of childhood security. The dictionary's secondary definition reminds us to be cautious: "To deceive into trustfulness: 'that honeyed charm that he used so effectively to lull his victims' (S.J. Perelman)."

As an Intransitive Verb

  • Step 1:
    The word may also be used as an intransitive verb: "To make calm." For instance, "Mark lulled the crowd."

As a Noun

  • Step 1:
    The word can be used as a noun too. The dictionary gives the following entries and accompanying examples, "A relatively calm interval, as in a storm" and "An interval of lessened activity: a lull in sales."

Sanskrit origins

  • Step 1:
    The origins of the word "lull" are interesting to note. Most dictionaries trace the word back no further than the Low German word "lullen," the Middle Dutch word "lollen," or the Latin word "lallare." Yet it may have its earliest origins in the Sanskrit term "lolati," which means "moves to and fr.o" Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, and one of the closest to the theoretical Indo-European root language.

Comfort

  • Step 1:
    In light of these considerations, "lull" comes to us through a long tradition as a word of comfort, like a gentle reminder from our ancestors.

Resources


Definition of Lull Provided by eHow.com
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