Word of the day · 15 September 2026
quiescent
/kwiˈɛsənt/
adjective
In a state of rest or temporary inactivity; quiet, still or dormant for now.
In a sentence
- The volcano has been quiescent for decades, which is why towns grew on its slopes.
- After the merger news, the share price went quiescent for two sessions.
- She kept a quiescent anger that only showed in careful silence.
In an image
Origin
From Latin quiescens, present participle of quiescere, “to rest, be quiet,” from quies (rest, quiet).
History
Scientists still use quiescent for volcanoes or cells that are quiet without being finished. Ordinary English borrowed the same idea for a pause that feels charged: a quiescent rivalry, a quiescent inbox after a hard week. The word is cooler than “peaceful.” It suggests stillness that could change.
Nearby words
dormant · still · inactive
A precise word for calm that may not be permanent: volcanoes, accounts, tempers and markets that have gone quiet.