cool
UK[kuːl]US[kuːl]
adj
slightly cold; pleasant and not hot or warm
adj
calm and not emotional or excited
adj
fashionable and attractive in a way that is admired
v
to become or make something become lower in temperature
v
to become or make somebody become less excited, angry, or enthusiastic
Etymology
the word "cool" originates from the old english "cōl" or "cōlian," meaning "moderately cold" or "to become cool." these terms descend from the proto-germanic kōlaz and kōlēną, which are further traced to the proto-indo-european root gel-, meaning "cold" or "to freeze." this root is the source of several words related to cold across indo-european languages, such as latin "gelu" (frost) and "glacies" (ice). the semantic journey from the physical sensation of moderate cold to abstract meanings like calmness, composure, and stylishness reflects a common metaphorical extension where temperature descriptors are applied to emotional states and social evaluations.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form of germanic origin. it is not productively formed from smaller, separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
a cool breeze made the summer evening pleasant.
she remained cool and collected during the crisis.
he tried to cool his anger by taking a walk.