equanimity
- Mental calmness and composure, especially in difficult situations or under stress.
In a sentence
- She faced the devastating diagnosis with remarkable equanimity, focusing on what she could control.
- The negotiator's equanimity during tense exchanges prevented the talks from breaking down entirely.
Usage note. Equanimity suggests an active, cultivated steadiness rather than mere passivity or indifference; it is often used in formal or literary contexts and pairs well with verbs like 'maintain,' 'display,' or 'face with.'
Where it comes from
English equanimity · entered English mid-17th c.
From Latin 'aequanimitas,' meaning 'evenness of mind' or 'composure,' from 'aequus' (equal, even) and 'animus' (mind, spirit). The word entered English in the mid-17th century. 'Aequus' is also the root of English 'equal' and 'equitable,' while 'animus' underlies 'animated' and 'unanimous.'