Etymology From Middle English quiete, from Old French quiet (adjective) and quiete (noun), from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (“to keep quiet, rest”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“rest”). Doublet of coy, quit, quite, and quietus. Largely displaced native English still in the sense of "with little or no sound".
1
With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
I can't hear the music; it is too quiet.
On the light streets, better streetcleaners, more trees, more police, and quieter buses were the most popular improvements, followed by cutting down the number of cars and improving children's play space.1982, Donald Appleyard, Livable Streets, page 98:
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Before long, the unsuspecting salesman was earnestly pitching him "the quietest noisemaker on the market."1999 May 4, William Safire, “Essay; The Quiet Noisemaker”, in The New York Times:
2
Having little motion or activity; calm.
the sea was quiet
a quiet night at home
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all quiet on the Western front
3
Not busy, of low quantity.
The traffic was quiet for a Monday morning.
Business was quiet for the season.
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It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 8, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
4
Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
He's a very quiet man usually, but is very chatty after a few beers.
5
Not showy; undemonstrative.
a quiet dress
quiet colours
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a quiet movement
For women, it requires "quiet"-colored clothes, with fully covered collarbones, ankles, and knees.2019, Abby Chava Stein, Becoming Eve, Seal Press, page 52:
Etymology From Middle English quiete, from Old French quiet (adjective) and quiete (noun), from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (“to keep quiet, rest”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“rest”). Doublet of coy, quit, quite, and quietus. Largely displaced native English still in the sense of "with little or no sound".
1
To cause (someone or something) to become quiet.
Can you quiet your child? He’s making lots of noise.
The umpire quieted the crowd so the game could continue in peace.
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For thou haſt created us for thy ſelfe, and our heart cannot be quieted till it may fine repoſe in thee.1631, Saint Augustine, “He Admires Gods Majesty, and is Inflamed with a Deepe Desire of Praising Him”, in William Watts, transl., Saint Augustines Confessions Translated: […], London: […] Iohn Norton, for Iohn Partridge […], →OCLC, book 1, paragraph 1, page 2:
2
To become quiet or calm.
When you quiet, we can start talking.
quiet
noun
Etymology From Middle English quiete, from Old French quiet (adjective) and quiete (noun), from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (“to keep quiet, rest”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“rest”). Doublet of coy, quit, quite, and quietus. Largely displaced native English still in the sense of "with little or no sound".
1
The absence of sound; quietness.
There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza.
We need a bit of quiet before we can start the show.
2
The absence of movement; stillness, tranquility.
3
The absence of disturbance or trouble; peace, security.
The King & his Nobles thinke they may ſleepe in quiet, Now they haue giuen vs a little holy water at the Court, But thers no ſuch matter, we be no ſuch fooles, To be bobd out with words and after come to hanging: […]1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act III:
quiet
intj
Etymology From Middle English quiete, from Old French quiet (adjective) and quiete (noun), from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (“to keep quiet, rest”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“rest”). Doublet of coy, quit, quite, and quietus. Largely displaced native English still in the sense of "with little or no sound".