becalm (English)

Where does "becalm" come from?

The English verb 'becalm' is formed by combining the prefix 'be-' with the noun 'calm'[1]. The noun 'calm' descended through Middle English 'calm' and Middle French 'calme', which likely traced back to Old Italian 'calma'[3]. The ultimate origins of the Italian term are debated, though it may derive from Late Latin 'cauma', meaning 'heat of the midday sun', which itself came from Ancient Greek 'kauma' for 'heat, especially of the sun'[3][4].

Open questions

The Italian term calma is of uncertain origin, with some theories suggesting derivation from Late Latin cauma while others note alternative possibilities including borrowing via an Iberian language. [3] [5] [8]
The Ancient Greek word kaiō has an uncertain origin, with proposals pointing to a possible Proto-Indo-European root. [9]

Full etymology tree

becalm (English), 'To make calm or still; make quiet; calm.'
- prefix be- (English), 'By, near, next to, around, close to.'
  - inherited be (Middle English), 'alternative form of been'
    - derived bi (Middle English), 'alternative form of by'
- compound calm (English), 'Peaceful, quiet, especially free from anger and anxiety.'
  - inherited calm (Middle English), 'alternative form of calme'
    - inherited calme (Middle English), 'calm (time without wind)'
      - borrowed calme (Middle French), 'calm; still; windless'
        borrowed calma (Italian), 'calm, stillness, peacefulness'
        inherited calma (Late Latin)
        inherited καῦμα (kaûma) (Ancient Greek), 'burning, glow, heat (especially of the sun)'
        derived καίω (kaíō) (Ancient Greek), 'to light, kindle, set on fire'
        derived *keh₂w- (Proto-Indo-European)

Ancestors

be (English)
calm (English)

Sources

Updated September 2026

More words starting with B

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris