lull

Definition

A period of rest or soothing.

Etymology

From Middle English lullen, lollen. Originally, perhaps expressive in origin from la-la-la or lu-lu-lu sounds made in calming a child. Compare Finnish laulaa (“to sing”) and Hiligaynon lala (“to sing a lullaby”). Cognate with Scots lul, lule, loll (“to lull, put to sleep, howl, caterwaul”), Dutch lollen (“to sing badly, caterwaul”), Dutch lullen (“to chatter, prate, cheat, deceive”), Low German lullen (“to lull”), German lullen (“to lull”), Danish lulle (“to lull, sing to sleep”), Swedish lulla (“to lull”), Icelandic lúlla (“to lull”).

Example Sentences

• "[…] during the lull, wind shifted to S. E. […]"
• "After the lull the wind does not appear to have blown with any great strength […]"
• "The air under each cloud has spent time near the surface, has been slowed and backed by friction—it is a lull."