Tame

/teɪm/
In English, tame can be an adjective meaning not wild or a verb meaning to make less wild, both originating from Old English tamian.

Examples

  • He finally tamed his restless mind through meditation.
  • The tamed horse responded to gentle commands.
  • The trainer has tamed many wild cats over the years.
  • Tame cats often enjoy being held.
  • She tamed the unruly crowd with humor.

Meanings

Adjective

Not wild; domesticated or easily controlled.
Originally meant ‘to make gentle’ and later developed the sense of ‘not wild’ for both animals and people.

Examples

  • Tame cats often enjoy being held.
  • The tamed horse responded to gentle commands.
  • She has a tame personality that puts others at ease.
  • After months of training, the lion became tame.
  • The garden plants are tame and easy to care for.

Verb

To make less wild or aggressive; to domesticate.
The verb kept the original sense of ‘to make gentle’ and later broadened to include calming any wild behavior.

Examples

  • Farmers tame foals each spring.
  • She tamed the unruly crowd with humor.
  • The trainer has tamed many wild cats over the years.
  • We need to tame the software bugs before release.
  • He finally tamed his restless mind through meditation.
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