sedate

Etymology

From Latin sedatus, past participle of sedare (“to settle”), causative of sedere (“to sit”).

adj

1. (of a person or their behaviour) Remaining composed and dignified, and avoiding too much activity or excitement.
   […] they will rashly huddle up all together, and not admitting the least check of a sedate judgement, publish onely the impetuous dictates of their indiscreet and too precipitant fancie […] 1642, Richard Watson, A Sermon Touching Schisme, Cambridge: Roger Daniel, page 27
   A reel or fling of some sort was in progress; and the usually sedate Farfrae was in the midst of the other dancers in the costume of a wild Highlander, flinging himself about and spinning to the tune. 1886, Thomas Hardy, chapter 16, in The Mayor of Casterbridge
   Then she saw that they were waving their handkerchiefs; dipping them up and down, with a curiously sedate, formal motion. 1989, Hilary Mantel, chapter 9, in Fludd, New York: Henry Holt, published 2000, page 149
2. (of an object, particularly a building) Not overly ornate or showy.
   The great hotel, with its look of sedate luxury, brooded massively there with people teeming about it. 1985, Doris Lessing, The Good Terrorist, London: Jonathan Cape, page 352

verb

1. To calm or put (a person) to sleep using a sedative drug.
   Though he may have been sedated, he knew I was there, knew who I was, knew I was talking to him. 1990, J. M. Coetzee, chapter 2, in Age of Iron, New York: Random House, page 80
2. To make tranquil.