Placid

adjective

Unruffled and without interruption; serene
Composed and levelheaded

Usage

Lake Placid, a beautiful lake in upstate New York, is known for its serenity and exquisiteness. The lake offers tranquility like no other with its placidity and enchanting atmosphere, bringing a sense of peace to its visitors. The water is unperturbed and enjoyed by many for its stillness and calming aura; the lake lives up to its namesake.

A place can also be placid. A placid town would be one that is quiet and restful. A placid beach is peaceful and undisturbed by anyone or anything. A neighborhood in the dead of winter, snow covering the ground and neighbors cooped up inside, is a placid setting for a long walk with a loved one. A location free of disturbance, commotion, or disorder would be considered placid.

A placid person is admired for their capability to remain levelheaded and poised, unaffected by outside forces or beings. Someone who is placid is neither excited nor upset; they remain composed. A placid person may partake in emotional investments, but he or she does not allow it to cloud his or her judgement.

Example: The placid lake appeared to be untouched, like a still-photo.

Example: We walked the empty pathways of the placid campus, hand in hand, enjoying the calmness of the weekend.

Example: Carly remained placid during her school's fire evacuation, closely following safety procedures without panicking.

Origin

Placid dates back to the early 1600s, and was derived from the French word "placide" and, before that, the Latin word "placidus," meaning "gentle and pleasing."

Derivative Words

Placidity: (noun) a state or feeling of peace.

Example: She enjoyed the placidity of lying on the beach on her day off.

Placidness: (noun) calmness.

Example: There was an eerie placidness right before the storm hit.

Placidly: (adverb) steadily; with composure.

Example: Kevin dodged the insults from the other team and placidly continued the football game without interruption.

In Literature

From Daniel Gross's Welcome to the Anarchy Economy:

Underneath the most placid waters, there are vicious currents and tides, and underwater volcanoes that are constantly erupting.

Gross uses placid to describe the waters as steady and untouched. He explains that even the calmest bodies of water can fool you; there are tides, currents, and other dangers hiding beneath the still surface.

From Sarah Wildman's Anthony Lewis's Cousin Remembers His Kindness to a Young Journalist:

His face immediately shifted out of the placid, guarded, friendliness of the Scheduled Speaker into a broad, welcoming smile.

Here, Wildman uses placid to portray the character's facial expression before his excitement kicked in. He had a fixed expression that lacked any strong emotion until he became eager and broke into a smile.

Mnemonic

Placid plains of the prairie provide peace
The pacifist was a placid individual
The lake is so placid that it almost looks plastic