unruffled
Meaning
not upset or agitated; calm and composed.
(of a surface, especially water) not disturbed; smooth.
Structure
Usage
she remained unruffled by the sudden change in plans.
his unruffled confidence helped to reassure the entire team.
the lake was unruffled by even the slightest breeze.
Etymology
The word 'unruffled' is a straightforward English formation built upon the verb 'ruffle'. 'ruffle' itself entered Middle English from low Germanic languages, carrying the sense of disturbing a smooth surface or disordering an arrangement. The prefix 'un-', of Old English origin, is a common negator, while the '-ed' suffix transforms the past participle into an adjective describing a state. Thus, the literal meaning "not having been disturbed" evolved to describe both a person's calm demeanor and a surface's undisturbed smoothness, perfectly capturing the absence of agitation.
Analysis
un- (old english, a prefix meaning "not"); ruffle (middle english, from a low germanic base meaning "to disorder, wrinkle"); -ed (old english, a suffix forming adjectives with the sense "having the quality of").