Library / English Dictionary

LULL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A period of calm weather

Example:

there was a lull in the storm

Synonyms:

lull; quiet

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("lull" is a kind of...):

calmness (an absence of strong winds or rain)

Derivation:

lull (calm by deception)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished

Example:

there was never a letup in the noise

Synonyms:

letup; lull

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Hypernyms ("lull" is a kind of...):

break; intermission; interruption; pause; suspension (a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something)

Derivation:

lull (become quiet or less intensive)

lull (calm by deception)

lull (make calm or still)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become quiet or less intensive

Example:

the fighting lulled for a moment

Synonyms:

calm down; lull

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "lull" is one way to...):

hush; hush up; quieten; shut up; silence; still (cause to be quiet or not talk)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

lull (a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Calm by deception

Example:

Don't let yourself be lulled into a false state of security

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "lull" is one way to...):

calm; calm down; lull; quiet; quieten; still; tranquilize; tranquillise; tranquillize (make calm or still)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

lull (a period of calm weather)

lull (a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make calm or still

Example:

quiet the dragons of worry and fear

Synonyms:

calm; calm down; lull; quiet; quieten; still; tranquilize; tranquillise; tranquillize

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "lull" is one way to...):

comfort; console; solace; soothe (give moral or emotional strength to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "lull"):

lull (calm by deception)

compose (calm (someone, especially oneself); make quiet)

appease; assuage; conciliate; gentle; gruntle; lenify; mollify; pacify; placate (cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of)

assure; reassure (cause to feel sure; give reassurance to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to lull Sue

Derivation:

lull (a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished)

Credits

 Context examples: 

It was fortunate that tea was at hand, to produce a lull and provide refreshment—for they would have been hoarse and faint if they had gone on much longer.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Clouds hid the moon, everything was obscure, and I heard only the sound of the boat as its keel cut through the waves; the murmur lulled me, and in a short time I slept soundly.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Lulled by the sound, I at last dropped asleep; I had not long slumbered when the sudden cessation of motion awoke me; the coach-door was open, and a person like a servant was standing at it: I saw her face and dress by the light of the lamps.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Laurie dashed into a livelier strain, played stormily for several minutes, and would have got through bravely, if in a momentary lull Mrs. March's voice had not been heard calling, Jo, dear, come in.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The gale still rising, seemed to my ear to muffle a mournful under-sound; whether in the house or abroad I could not at first tell, but it recurred, doubtful yet doleful at every lull; at last I made out it must be some dog howling at a distance.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

For a long time there was a lull in the 'mud-pie' business, and she devoted herself to the finest pen-and-ink drawing, in which she showed such taste and skill that her graceful handiwork proved both pleasant and profitable.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

An evening with John over the account books usually produced a temporary lull in the culinary enthusiasm, and a frugal fit would ensue, during which the poor man was put through a course of bread pudding, hash, and warmed-over coffee, which tried his soul, although he bore it with praiseworthy fortitude.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

At a lull in the entertainment the man looked at me and smiled.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)