equanimity

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From French équanimité, from Latin aequanimitās (calmness, equanimity), from aequus (even; calm; fair) + animus (mind, soul) + -itās. Surface analysis is equ- + animus + -ity.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪtiː/, /ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪtiː/

Noun

equanimity (countable and uncountable, plural equanimities)

  1. the state of being calm, stable and composed, especially under stress
    • 1954, Albert Einstein, Ideas and Opinions
      Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment.
    • 1779, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther
      No doubt you are right, my best of friends, there would be far less suffering amongst mankind, if men—and God knows why they are so fashioned—did not employ their imaginations so assiduously in recalling the memory of past sorrow, instead of bearing their present lot with equanimity.

Synonyms

Translations

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