† serenen.1
Obsolete.
A light fall of moisture or fine rain after sunset in hot countries (see serein n.), formerly regarded as a noxious dew or mist.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > precipitation or atmospheric moisture > rain > [noun] > light or fine rain > falling from a cloudless sky
serene1591
serena1594
serein1870
1591 J. Florio Second Frutes 153 The Seren neuer hurts a man in these colde countries.
1607 B. Jonson Volpone iii. vii. sig. H2 Some serene blast me, or dire lightning strike This my offending face. View more context for this quotation
1616 J. Bullokar Eng. Expositor Seraine, a foggy mist or dampish vapour falling in Italie about sunne set, at which time it is vnwholesome to be abroad especially bareheaded.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 219 When the Syren or dew falls at night, they keepe themselves within dores till it be dried up.
1622 F. Markham Five Decades Epist. of Warre iii. vii. 105 Which not to acknowledge, would hang as a Sereine or rotting Mildew vpon any thankfull nature.
1636 G. Sandys Paraphr. Psalmes David cxxi. 205 Nor unwholsome Serene shall From the Moons moyst influence fall.
1647 J. Howell New Vol. of Lett. 13 Have a care of your health, take heed of the serenes.
1682 Philos. Coll. (Royal Soc.) No. 5. 148 To preserve the Brain from the Serenes that fall in hot Countries.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Serein (Fr.), a dampish and unwholesome Vapour, that falls after Sun-set in hot Countries; a kind of Mildew.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
sereneadj.n.2
/sɪˈriːn/ A. adj.
1.
a. Of the weather, air, sky: Clear, fine, and calm (without cloud or rain or wind).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adjective] > calm (of weather, climate, or the elements)
smoltc950
lithec1275
still1390
smoothc1402
peaceablec1425
calmc1440
serenousc1440
lownc1485
stormlessc1500
serene1508
calm-winded1577
unwindy1580
calmy1587
sleek1603
halcedonian1611
pacific1633
settled1717
unstormy1823
untempested1846
placable1858
untempestuous1864
unrestless1919
1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 187 Quhill loud resownyt the firmament serene.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. f. cxxxviii To perce the Heuyns that beeth so serene.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. i. i. v. 17 As the heauen it selfe is, so is our life, sometimes faire, sometimes ouercast, tempestious, and serene.
1637 J. Milton Comus 1 Where those immortall shapes Of bright aëreall Spirits live insphear'd In Regions mild of calme and serene aire.
1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection 108 in Justice Vindicated Whether it will be serene, or stormy weather.
a1771 T. Gray Lyric Stanzas in European Mag. & London Rev. (1791) Feb. 152 Gentle gales and sky serene Prove not always winter past.
1829 Chapters Physical Sci. 200 Timely alternatives of serene and rainy days.
1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings (1870) v. 91 So pure and serene is the air that..the faintest far-off sounds are heard with surprising distinctness.
b. Of the heavenly bodies: Shining with a clear and tranquil light.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > heavenly body > [adjective]
orby?1609
serene1709
supermassive1938
1709 A. Pope Winter in Poet. Misc.: 6th Pt. vi. 745 The Moon, serene in Glory, mounts the Sky.
1744 M. Akenside Pleasures Imagination i. 61 Ere the radiant sun Sprung from the east, or 'mid the vault of night The moon suspended her serener lamp.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Prince Athanase in Posthumous Poems (1824) 107 Through which his soul, like Vespers' serene beam..Shone, softly burning.
c. Hence as a poetic epithet of colour: Pure, clear, bright. Also (cf. A. 2b), Quiet, sober.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [adjective] > pure or clear
purec1300
freshc1405
fair1663
serene1751
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [adjective] > soft
tender?a1513
soft1672
delicate1675
mellow1706
mellowy1816
serene1846
etherean1881
mellowed1889
muted1897
pastel1899
pastel1914
sedate1924
1751 T. Gray Elegy 8 Full many a Gem of purest Ray serene.
1846 W. S. Landor Pentameron in Wks. II. 343 Serener colours are pleasanter to our eyes and more becoming to our character.
2.
a. Of other natural phenomena (e.g. the sea): Calm, tranquil.
ΚΠ
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms iii. 397 And gazed where inland waters lay Serene as night.
1817 P. B. Shelley Mont Blanc iii, in Hist. Six Weeks' Tour 178 Mont Blanc appears,—still, snowy, and serene.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 52 A brighter Hellas rears its mountains From waves serener far.
1870 A. O'Shaughnessy Epic of Women 76 Through each shock of sound that shivers The serene palms to their height.
b. transferred. Restful to the eye, expressive or suggestive of repose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > quietness or tranquillity > [adjective] > having appearance of tranquillity
serene1849
1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. ii. 36 The magnificent and serene constructions of the early Gothic.
1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. iii. 88 Laws as inviolable and serene as those of nature herself.
3.
a. Of a person, his mind, circumstances, etc.: Calm, tranquil, untroubled, unperturbed. Of the countenance: Expressive of inward calm, unruffled.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective]
eveneOE
still1340
unperturbeda1450
unmovedc1480
quietful1494
lowna1500
calma1568
calmya1586
unpassionatea1586
smartless1593
reposeful1594
dispassionate1595
recollected1595
unaffectedc1595
unpassioned?1605
unpassionated1611
collecteda1616
tranquila1616
untouched1616
impassionate1621
composed1628
dispassioneda1631
tranquillous1638
slow1639
serene1640
dispassionated1647
imperturbed1652
unruffled1654
reposing1655
equanimous1656
perplacid1660
placate1662
equal1680
collect1682
cooled1682
posed1693
sedate1693
impassive1699
uninflamed1714
unexcited1735
unalarmed1756
unfanned1764
unagitated1772
undistraught1773
recollected1792
equable1796
unfussy1823
take-it-easy1825
unflurried1854
cool1855
comfortable1856
disimpassioned1860
tremorless1869
unpressured1879
unrippled1883
ice-cool1891
unrattled1891
Zen-likea1908
unrestless1919
steadyish1924
ataractic1941
relaxed1958
nonplussed1960
loose1968
Zenned-out1968
downtempo1972
mellowed1977
de-stressed1999
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [adjective]
sorrowlessOE
carelessa1000
restful1340
clearc1374
unsada1450
undiseased?c1450
unoffendedc1450
undistroubled1466
frank1477
unvexed1485
quiet1535
secure1545
griefless1552
trouble-void1559
woeless1568
undistressed1582
tearless1603
cocksure1613
undejected1613
undisquieted1627
uncareful1635
serene1640
indisconsolatea1645
trouble-free1648
catastematic1656
thoughtless1659
incruciated1661
easy1692
undepressed1697
unsufferinga1732
ungloomed1737
solute1742
unanxious1742
undarkened1742
unsighinga1743
comfortable1770
unharassed1796
unworried1818
gloomless1820
ungroaning1821
unpestered1824
ungrieving1837
troubleless1838
unsaddened?c1840
untrespassed1854
unannoyed1865
unfretted1870
fretless1878
worriless1889
stress-free1898
unstressed1927
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective] > of appearance or demeanour
coolOE
sobera1375
composed1606
serene1702
mooth1782
poised1912
centred1973
1640 T. Fuller Abel Redevivus 17 Stokes, an Englishman then present at the Councell, his serene Antagonist.
1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia (new ed.) 17 Untill the tenth of her raign, her times were calm and serene, though sometimes a little overcast... For the clouds of Spain, and Vapors of the holy League, began then to disperse and threaten her serenity.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1691) vii. 103 The ordinary charge of the Government, in times of deep and serene Peace.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 27 The Duke heard him, without the least commotion, and with a countenance serene enough.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 282. ⁋5 He who resigns the World..is in constant Possession of a serene Mind.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I lxxxiii. 44 A quiet conscience makes one so serene!
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iv. 460 His serene intrepidity distinguished him among thousands of brave soldiers.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 144 A great event in her serene life.
1911 Athenæum 8 July 35/1 Mr. Austin surveys his mental development with serene satisfaction.
b. all serene: slang phrase for ‘all's well’, ‘all right’. Also jocularly all sereno.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective] > untroubled
untormentedc1374
unstrainedc1400
unscourgedc1412
quietc1460
untroubled1484
secure1545
unstricken1548
unplagued1549
unoppressed1559
incurious1570
secure1578
undistressed1582
unclouded1598
unpangeda1625
indisturbed1664
unpained1667
ungrieved1676
smooth1757
unhaunted1818
unteased1843
unfazed1855
all serene1856
unfussed1907
unthrown1959
OK1978
1856 K. H. Digby Lover's Seat I. vi. 161 Well I never, all serene, stunning,..and such like phrases.
1859 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang 89 Serene, all right; ‘its all serene’, a street phrase of very modern adoption, the burden of a song.
1873 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 378/1 ‘All serene, Ben’, was the general reply.
1901 F. Hume Golden Wang-ho i ‘All sereno!’ sung out Teddy.
4. An honorific epithet given to a reigning prince (esp. of Germany), formerly also to a member of a royal house, etc.; sometimes jocularly applied to anything appertaining to a person so designated. Also most serene = medieval Latin serenissimus, Italian serenissimo, French sérénissime. Cf. serenity n. 4.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [adjective] > specific epithets for persons of rank > for royalty or other exalted personages
grandc1526
serenea1550
most religious1567
sacred1600
serenissimous1623
serenissime1624
super-illustrious1630
a1550 Now Fayre, Fayrest of Euery Fayre in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 29 Borne of a princes most serene.
1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour l. 3074 in Wks. (1931) I And send one Message to the Quene, Prayand hir Maiestie serene That scho wald [etc.].
1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. C3 You are like me a subiect. Her more then serene Maiesty being present.
1660 Exact Accompt Trial Regicides 17 A Warrant for the Execution of His late Sacred and Serene Majesty.
1673 J. Ogilby Asia Ded. To His Most Serene, and Most Excellent Majesty, Charles II.
1711 Act 10 Anne c. 4 The most serene Elector of Brunswick-Lunenburgh.
1740 T. Gray Let. 20 May (1971) I. 155 His Highness the Duke of Modena..laid his most serene commands upon me to write to Mr. West.
1745 H. Walpole Let. to H. Mann 24 June The Duke of Saxe Weissenfels..is not of so serene a house but that he might have known something of the motions of the Prussians.
1746 H. Walpole Let. 17 June in Corr. (1941) IX. 32 The Serene Hessian is gone.
1773 Ann. Reg. 1772 153/2 Genoa, Dec. 26. On the 22d instant..died..the serene John Baptist Cambiaso, Doge of this republic.
1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges i. 29 The lovely sisters..journeyed to Hanover, and became favourites of the serene house there reigning.
1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges i. 26 There were 600 horses in the Serene stables.
1879 S. Baring-Gould Germany I. 29 Princes to whom the predicate of durchlaucht (‘your serene highness’) is accorded.
5. drop serene: Milton's rendering of modern Latin gutta serena amaurosis: see gutta serena n. at gutta n.1 Compounds. Hence allusively (quot. 1843).
ΚΠ
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 25 So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs. View more context for this quotation
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present i. ii. 17 Thick serene opacity, thicker than amaurosis, veiled those smiling eyes of his to Truth.
6. quasi-adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adverb] > in a serene manner
serene1655
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adverb]
evenlyOE
egallyc1374
soberly1382
sadly?a1400
wellc1405
digestlya1522
calmly1597
placidly1635
sedately1646
equanimously1652
recollectedly1654
serenely1690
composedly1702
dispassionately1717
serene1728
unperturbedly?1786
solidly1799
tranquilly1801
relaxedly1819
collectedly1838
comfortably1872
equably1873
unagitatedly1894
1655 R. Fanshawe tr. L. de Camoens Lusiad iii. lv. 57 Her pleasant Vale..Which Thou, sweet Tagus, waterst so serene.
1728 E. Young Love of Fame: Universal Passion (ed. 2) ii. 43 Serene quoth Adam, ‘Lo! 'twas crush'd by me’.
1769 T. Gray Ode at Installation Duke of Grafton 93 The Star of Brunswick smiles serene.
1847 R. W. Emerson Poems 190 Gentlest guardians marked serene His early hope, his liberal mien.
B. n.2 (absolute use of the adjective). [Similarly Latin serēnum (neuter), Italian sereno, Old French seri, serain.] Now rare or Obsolete.
a. A condition of fine quiet weather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > calm weather
serene1644
1644 E. Dering Disc. Proper Sacrifice Pref. b 2 It is indeed the present issue of thunder and tempest, but was begotten in a quiet serene.
1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (Dublin ed.) II. ix. 126 No more than ye can see the Gloom of last Winter, in the smiling Serene of a Summer's-Evening.
b. The unruffled expanse of clear sky or calm sea.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [noun] > smooth sea
softnessc1275
smoothnessc1374
plain1566
hyaline1667
smooth1667
serene1772
sea level1873
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > clear condition > clear sky
serene1772
1772 W. Jones Poems 33 And twinkling stars emblaz'd the blue serene.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 132 The bark that plows the deep serene.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II ii. lxix. 95 As winds come lightly whispering from the west, Kissing, not ruffling, the blue deep's serene.
1834 M. Edgeworth Helen I. xiii. 279 Not a cloud obscured the deep serene.
1870 A. O'Shaughnessy Epic of Women 172 And some have..through the blue serene Gone up to heaven and been lost.
c. Calm brightness, quiet radiance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [noun] > mildly radiant
serene1821
1821 P. B. Shelley Epipsychidion 27 With Moon-light patches,..Or fragments of the day's intense serene.
1842 I. Williams Baptistery I. ii. 201 Upon the dark and ruin'd scene Throwing a beautiful serene.
d. Serenity, tranquillity (of mind, conditions, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [noun]
resteOE
peacea1225
egalityc1374
tranquillityc1374
peaceabilityc1384
sobernessc1384
tranquille1412
quietness?a1425
evenheadc1440
equalitya1475
equability1531
sobermood1556
calmness1561
evenness1561
serenity1599
collection1602
equilibrium1608
calm1609
temperateness1609
composedness1611
recollection1611
temper1611
unpassionateness1611
placidity1619
sereneness1628
attemperature1635
quietationa1639
equableness1641
steadiness1642
sedateness1647
imperturbation1648
placidness1654
centredness1662
equanimity1663
composure1667
serenitude1672
equalness1675
unperturbedness1676
dispassion1690
quietism1735
serene1744
relaxednessa1750
self-composure1762
sober-mindedness1767
collectedness1789
unprovokedness1795
comfortableness1815
repose1815
levelness1824
dispassionateness1842
unruffledness1858
passionlessness1867
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [noun]
lissOE
carelessnessc1000
restOE
peacea1225
ease?c1225
bielda1300
quietc1330
heartseasea1393
suretya1413
securitya1425
secureness1550
serenity1599
assecurance1616
euthymy1623
sereneness1628
levitya1631
repose1652
untroublednessa1660
serenitude1672
serene1744
securance1849
1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh 3 Deep in rich Pasture, will thy Flocks complain? Not so; but to their Master is deny'd To share their sweet Serene.
1769 W. Falconer Shipwreck (ed. 3) i. 12 The calm domestic scene Had o'er his temper breathed a gay serene.
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. xvii. 192 The serene of heart-felt happiness has little of adventure in it.
1851 E. B. Browning Casa Guidi Windows ii. xiii. 106 Behold, the people waits, Like God. As He, in his serene of might, So they, in their endurance of long straits.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
serenev.
/sɪˈriːn/ Now rare or Obsolete.
transitive. To make serene.
1. † b. To clarify, make clear and bright (a liquid).† c. To expose to the air (articles suspected of infection). Obsolete.[Littré has French sérénage for the action of doing this.]
a. To make (the sky, air) clear, bright, and tranquil. †Also, to clear from (cloud). Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make clear
to clear the airc1380
uncloud1598
serene1613
enubilate1736
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make clear > clear clouds from
serenea1711
1613 J. Davies Muses Teares (Grosart) 15/1 Then let Fates Snuffes and Puffes as winds of Grace, Serene the Heauen of your Maiestick Face.
1639 J. Saltmarsh Pract. Policie 4 If your businesse be perplexed and obscure..the best course heere for clearing and serening, is to divide the parts that are mingled and more obscure.
1655 R. Fanshawe tr. L. de Camoens Lusiad ix. xxiv. 178 She, where she passes, makes the Wind to lye With gentle motion, and serenes the skye.
a1711 T. Ken Edmund in Wks. (1721) II. xii. 322 Heav'n which before in Rivulets ran down, Its Face seren'd, clear from all cloudy Frown.
1747 D. Mallet Amyntor & Theodora iii. 42 As Reason thus the mental storm seren'd.
1828 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 23 486 Homer and Shakspeare..so far from being unfit for the gross atmosphere of human nature,..soared through it like eagles,..serened it like a calm.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > clarifying liquids > clarify [verb (transitive)]
clarifyc1430
defecatec1487
flay1530
settle1599
serene1708
1708 J. Philips Cyder ii. 68 The hoary Frosts and Northern Blasts take care Thy muddy Bev'rage to serene, and drive Præcipitant the baser, ropy Lees.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > ventilation and air-conditioning > condition air [verb (transitive)] > ventilate
air1530
serene1753
1753 M. Mackenzie in Philos. Trans. 1751–2 (Royal Soc.) 47 385 To what purpose..keep ships in Sandgate-Creek for weeks, and even months, without landing and serening the goods?
2. absolute.1830 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 28 886 Something that serenes or troubles, soothes or jars.
a. To make (a person, his mind, etc.) calm and tranquil. †Also, to render free from (anything that perturbs).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > compose or make calm [verb (transitive)]
softa1225
stilla1325
coolc1330
accoya1375
appeasec1374
attemperc1386
lullc1386
quieta1398
peasea1400
amesec1400
assuagec1400
mesec1400
soberc1430
modify?a1439
establish1477
establish1477
pacify1484
pacify1515
unbrace?1526
settle1530
steady1530
allay1550
calm1559
compromitc1574
restore1582
recollect1587
serenize1598
smooth1604
compose1607
recompose1611
becalm1613
besoothe1614
unprovokea1616
halcyon1616
unstrain1616
leniate1622
tranquillize1623
unperplexa1631
belull1631
sedate1646
unmaze1647
assopiatea1649
serenate1654
serene1654
tranquillify1683
soothe1697
unalarm1722
reserene1755
quietize1791
peacify1845
quieten1853
conjure1856
peace1864
disfever1880
patise1891
de-tension1961
mellow1974
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > make free from trouble, care, or sorrow [verb (transitive)]
unburden1578
secure1597
sleeka1616
unsad1640
untorture1650
unconcern1653
unsadden1654
serene1707
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 226 This temper Serenes the Soule from Passion.
1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility viii. 339 It calms and serenes the regions of the breast.
1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh 72 Hope, like a Cordial,..Man's Heart, at once, inspirits, and serenes.
1852 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 5) 164 Thus serened, speak on.
b. To make (the countenance, brow) calm, unruffled, or cheerful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > compose or make calm [verb (transitive)] > the face or appearance
serene1702
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > make free from trouble, care, or sorrow [verb (transitive)] > the face
serene1702
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) xv. ccxvii. 237 When he seren'd his Father's gloomy Frown.
1718 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad IV. xv. 178 While a Smile serenes his awful Brow.
1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things iii. 316 While Air, all calm and gentle, soothes the breast, Serenes the face, and lulls the soul to rest.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.11591
adj.n.21508
v.1613