cool

cool [ko͞ol]

adj.

[ME & OE col < IE base * gel-, cold, to freeze > CHILL, COLD, L gelu]

1. moderately cold; neither warm nor very cold

2. tending to reduce discomfort in warm or hot weather [cool clothes]

3.

a) not excited; calm; composed [cool in an emergency ]

☆ b) marked by control of the emotions; restrained [cool jazz]

c) Slang emotionally uninvolved; uncommitted; dispassionate

4. showing dislike or indifference; not cordial [a cool manner]

5. calmly impudent or bold

6. not suggesting warmth: said of colors in the blue-green end of the spectrum

7. Informal without exaggeration [he won a cool thousand dollars ]

☆ 8. Slang very good, pleasing, etc.; excellent

adv.

in a cool manner

n.

1. a cool place, time, thing, part, etc. [the cool of the evening ]

☆ 2. Slang cool, dispassionate attitude or manner

vi.

[ME colien < OE colian, to cool]

to become cool or colder

vt.

to make cool or colder

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cool down

1. to lower the body temperature, pulse, etc. after vigorous exercise

2. to become less heated, passionate, agitated, angry, etc.

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☆ cool it

Slang to calm down

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cool off

1. to calm down

2. to lose enthusiasm, interest, etc.

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☆ cool out Slang

to make or become relaxed, calm, mollified, etc. [soothing words cooled him out]

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☆ play it cool

Slang to exercise strict control over one's emotions; stay aloof, unenthusiastic, or uncommitted

coolish

adj.

coolly

adv.

coolness

n.

SYN.- COOL, in this comparison, implies freedom from the heat of emotion or excitement, suggesting a calm, dispassionate attitude or a controlled alertness in difficult circumstances; COMPOSED suggests readiness to meet a trying situation through self-possession or the disciplining of one's emotions; COLLECTED stresses a being in full command of one's faculties or emotions in a distracting situation; UNRUFFLED suggests the maintenance of poise or composure in the face of something that might agitate or embarrass one; NONCHALANT stresses a cool lack of concern or casual indifference

-ANT. EXCITED, AGITATED