quietus

[kwahy-ee-tuhs]

noun

plural

quietuses 

1. a finishing stroke; anything that effectually ends or settles.

   Having given a quietus to the argument, she left.

2. discharge or release from life.

3. a period of retirement or inactivity.

quietus

/ -ˈeɪtəs, kwaɪˈiːtəs /

noun

1. anything that serves to quash, eliminate, or kill

   to give the quietus to a rumour

2. a release from life; death

3. the discharge or settlement of debts, duties, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of quietus¹

1530–40; < Medieval Latin quiētus quit (in quiētus est (he) is quit, a formula of acquittance), Latin: (he) is quiet, at rest ( quiet ); quit ¹ (adj.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of quietus¹

C16: from Latin quiētus est, literally: he is at rest, _quiet

Related Words

• death 
• decease 
• dying