still Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a static photograph (especially one taken from a movie and used for advertising purposes)
    • he wanted some stills for a magazine ad
  2. noun (poetic) tranquil silence
    hush; stillness.
    • the still of the night
  3. noun an apparatus used for the distillation of liquids; consists of a vessel in which a substance is vaporized by heat and a condenser where the vapor is condensed
  4. noun a plant and works where alcoholic drinks are made by distillation
    distillery.
  5. verb make calm or still
    tranquilize; tranquillize; calm down; quiet; calm; tranquillise; quieten; lull.
    • quiet the dragons of worry and fear
  6. verb cause to be quiet or not talk
    shut up; hush up; hush; quieten; silence.
    • Please silence the children in the church!
  7. verb lessen the intensity of or calm
    relieve; allay; ease.
    • The news eased my conscience
    • still the fears
  8. verb make motionless
  9. adjective satellite not in physical motion
    inactive; static; motionless.
    • the inertia of an object at rest
  10. adjective satellite marked by absence of sound
    silent; soundless.
    • a silent house
    • soundless footsteps on the grass
    • the night was still
  11. adjective satellite (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
    smooth; quiet; unruffled; placid; tranquil.
    • a ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
    • the quiet waters of a lagoon
    • a lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
    • a smooth channel crossing
    • scarcely a ripple on the still water
    • unruffled water
  12. adjective used of pictures; of a single or static photograph not presented so as to create the illusion of motion; or representing objects not capable of motion
    • a still photograph
    • Cezanne's still life of apples
  13. adjective not sparkling
    noneffervescent.
    • a still wine
    • still mineral water
  14. adjective satellite free from noticeable current
    • a still pond
    • still waters run deep
  15. adverb with reference to action or condition; without change, interruption, or cessation
    • it's still warm outside
    • will you still love me when we're old and grey?
  16. adverb despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)
    nonetheless; nevertheless; however; all the same; withal; even so; notwithstanding; yet.
    • although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it
    • while we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed
    • he was a stern yet fair master
    • granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go
  17. adverb to a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons
    even; yet.
    • looked sick and felt even worse
    • an even (or still) more interesting problem
    • still another problem must be solved
    • a yet sadder tale
  18. adverb without moving or making a sound
    stock-still.
    • he sat still as a statue
    • time stood still
    • they waited stock-still outside the door
    • he couldn't hold still any longer

WordNet

Still adjective
Etymology
OE. stille, AS. stille; akin to D. stil, OS. & OHG. stilli, G. still, Dan. stille, Sw. stilla, and to E. stall; from the idea of coming to a stand, or halt. Cf. Still, adv.
Wordforms
comparative Stiller ; superlative Stillest
Definitions
  1. Motionless; at rest; quiet; as, to stand still; to lie or sit still. "Still as any stone." Chaucer.
  2. Uttering no sound; silent; as, the audience is still; the animals are still.
    The sea that roared at thy command, At thy command was still. Addison.
  3. Not disturbed by noise or agitation; quiet; calm; as, a still evening; a still atmosphere. "When all the woods are still." Milton.
  4. Comparatively quiet or silent; soft; gentle; low. "A still small voice." 1 Kings xix. 12.
  5. Constant; continual. Obs.
    By still practice learn to know thy meaning. Shak.
  6. Not effervescing; not sparkling; as, still wines. Syn. -- Quiet; calm; noiseless; serene; motionless; inert; stagnant.
Still noun
Etymology
Cf. G. stille.
Definitions
  1. Freedom from noise; calm; silence; as, the still of midnight. Poetic the still of the night
  2. A steep hill or ascent. Obs. W. Browne.
Still adverb
Etymology
AS. stille quietly. See Still, a. The modern senses come from the idea of stopping and staying still, or motionless.
Definitions
  1. To this time; until and during the time now present; now no less than before; yet.
    It hath been anciently reported, and is still received. Bacon.
  2. In the future as now and before.
    Hourly joys be still upon you! Shak.
  3. In continuation by successive or repeated acts; always; ever; constantly; uniformly.
    The desire of fame betrays an ambitious man into indecencies that lessen his reputation; he is still afraid lest any of his actions should be thrown away in private. Addison.
    Chemists would be rich if they could still do in great quantities what they have sometimes done in little. Boyle.
  4. In an increasing or additional degree; even more; -- much used with comparatives.
    The guilt being great, the fear doth still exceed. Shak.
  5. Notwithstanding what has been said or done; in spite of what has occured; nevertheless; -- sometimes used as a conjunction. See Synonym of But.
    As sunshine, broken in the rill, Though turned astray, is sunshine still. Moore.
  6. After that; after what is stated.
    In the primitive church, such as by fear being compelled to sacrifice to strange gods, after repented, and kept still the office of preaching the gospel. Whitgift.
    And like the watchful minutes to the hour, Still and anon cheered up the heavy time. Shak.
Still transitive verb
Etymology
AS. stillan, from stille still, quiet, firm. See Still, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Stilled ; present participle & verbal noun Stilling
Definitions
  1. To stop, as motion or agitation; to cause to become quiet, or comparatively quiet; to check the agitation of; as, to still the raging sea.
    He having a full sway over the water, had power to still and compose it, as well as to move and disturb it. Woodward.
  2. To stop, as noise; to silence.
    With his name the mothers still their babies. Shak.
  3. To appease; to calm; to quiet, as tumult, agitation, or excitement; as, to still the passions. Shak.
    Toil that would, at least, have stilled an unquiet impulse in me. Hawthorne.
    Syn. -- To quiet; calm; allay; lull; pacify; appease; subdue; suppress; silence; stop; check; restrain.
Still noun
Etymology
Cf. OE. stillatorie. See Still, v., to distill.
Definitions
  1. A vessel, boiler, or copper used in the distillation of liquids; specifically, one used for the distillation of alcoholic liquors; a retort. The name is sometimes applied to the whole apparatus used in in vaporization and condensation.
  2. A house where liquors are distilled; a distillery.
Still transitive verb
Etymology
Abbreviated fr. distill.
Definitions
  1. To cause to fall by drops.
  2. To expel spirit from by heat, or to evaporate and condense in a refrigeratory; to distill. Tusser.
Still intransitive verb
Etymology
L. stillare. Cf. Distill.
Definitions
  1. To drop, or flow in drops; to distill. Obs. Spenser.

Webster 1913