sedate

adj

1. Of a person or animal, or their behaviour: calm and composed (often in a dignified manner), and avoiding or unaffected by activity or excitement.

   “But vvhen […] vvilfulneſs [in a child] evidently ſhevvs it ſelf, and makes Blovvs neceſſary, I think the Chaſtiſement ſhould be a little more Sedate and a little more Severe, […]”

   “Virgil vvas of a quiet, ſedate Temper; Homer vvas violent, impetuous, and full of Fire.”

   “But the Matter vvas yet infinitely vvorſe (I record it vvith Tears) vvhen he proceeded to the Embroidery: For, being Clumſy by Nature, and of Temper, Impatient; vvithal, beholding Millions of Stitches, that required the niceſt Hand, and ſedateſt Conſtitution, to extricate; in a great Rage, he tore off the vvhole Piece, Cloth and all, […]”

   “But vvho like thee can boaſt a Soul sedate, / So firmly Proof to all the Shocks of Fate?”

2. (broadly)Of an object, particularly a building: not overly ornate or showy; not having a strong colour or design.

   “Sometimes she passed down avenues of sedate mansions, soberly numbered 'one,' 'two,' 'three,' and so on right up to two or three hundred, each the copy of the other, with two pillars and six steps and a pair of curtains neatly drawn […] until her mind was dizzied with the monotony.”

   “The shiny carriages of Yankee officers' wives and newly rich Carpetbaggers splashed mud on the dilapidated buggies of the townspeople, and gaudy new homes of wealthy strangers crowded in among the sedate dwellings of older citizens.”

   “Facing the Parliament Buildings across James’ Bay arose a sedate stone and cement Post Office.”

   “The great hotel, with its look of sedate luxury, brooded massively there with people teeming about it.”

3. (broadly)Of writing: not emotional; calm, composed.
4. (broadly, obsolete)Of one's mind, thoughts, etc.: calm, sober.

   “[A] Scepticiſm, that's the only vvay to Science. But yet this is ſo difficult in the impartial and exact performance, that it may be vvell reckon'd among the bare Poſsibilities, vvhich never commence into a Futurity: It requiring ſuch a free, ſedate, and intent minde, as it may be no vvhere found but among the Platonical Idea's.”

   “[W]e ſhall leave them to their ovvn ſedate and compoſed Reflections.”

5. (broadly, obsolete)Of an object: not moving; at rest, quiet, still; also, moving smoothly and steadily.

   “[T]he river vvhich before vvas ſtraight, ſhe [Nitocris] made crooked vvith great vvindings, that it might be more ſedate and leſs apt to overflovv.”

verb

1. (transitive)To give (a person) a sedative to calm them or put them to sleep; to tranquilize.

   “Though he may have been sedated, he knew I was there, knew who I was, knew I was talking to him.”

   “I need something to sedate me / But I can't afford the high / Give me something to help me escape”

2. (obsolete, transitive)To make (someone or something) calm or tranquil; to assuage, to calm, to soothe.

   “Did matter contend with matter, what confusion would it produce? whilst the mind and soul of man sedate the hostility, and bring it to due obedience, as being a power abstracted, a distinct and immaterial principle.”