lull
pronunciation
How to pronounce lull in British English:
UK [lʌl]
How to pronounce lull in American English:
US [lʌl]
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- Noun:
- a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished
- a period of calm weather
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- Verb:
- calm by deception
- become quiet or less intensive
- make calm or still
Word Origin
- lull
- lull: [14] There are several words similar to lull in various Germanic languages, including Swedish lulla ‘lull’ and Dutch lullen ‘prattle’, but it is not clear to what extent they are interconnected. But either individually or collectively they all no doubt go back ultimately to a repitition of the syllable lu or la, used in singing a baby to sleep. Lullaby was coined from lull in the 16th century, perhaps using the final syllable of goodbye.
- lull (v.)
- early 14c., lullen "hush to sleep," probably imitative of lu-lu sound used to lull a child to sleep (compare Swedish lulla "to hum a lullaby," German lullen "to rock," Sanskrit lolati "moves to and fro," Middle Dutch lollen "to mutter"). Figurative use from 1570s. Related: Lulled; lulling.
- lull (n.)
- 1650s as the name of a soothing drink, from lull (v.). Meaning "period of quiet in a storm" is from 1815.
Example
- 1. The lull ended when two people were killed on july 6th .
- 2. Yet it would be foolish to bet on an extended lull in the euro crisis .
- 3. The latest signs suggest the summer slowdown was just a temporary lull in a pretty mediocre recovery .
- 4. A sensible fiscal policy allows for slower tax revenues , or extra spending on the jobless , caused by a lull in the business cycle .
- 5. There was a brief lull as separatist leaders advised people to go shopping to stock up for a week of planned demonstrations against the killings , and in favour of greater political autonomy .