still
still
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling for "still"
IPA: /stɪl/
Breakdown by Syllable:
stɪl:
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
/ɪ/ - short front vowel
/l/ - alveolar lateral liquid
Word Form Variations
Still can function as an adjective, adverb, noun, or verb, depending on its context.
Adjective
Comparative: stiller
Superlative: stillest
Adverb
No variations
Noun
Plural: stills (referring to apparatus for distilling liquids)
Verb
Present participle: stilling
Past tense: stilled
Past participle: stilled
Note: The noun form "stills" is less common and primarily refers to equipment. The other forms are more frequently used.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective
Definition: Unmoving; motionless; quiet; calm; silent.
Synonyms: motionless, quiet, calm, silent, tranquil, undisturbed
Antonyms: moving, active, noisy, loud, turbulent, disturbed
Adverb
Definition: Continuing without interruption; up to the present time; nevertheless; in spite of that.
Synonyms: yet, nonetheless, however, even so, furthermore
Antonyms: already, previously, before, earlier
Verb
Definition: To cease moving or acting; to become quiet or calm.
Synonyms: cease, stop, halt, pause, quieten, calm down
Antonyms: move, start, begin, continue, agitate
Noun
Definition: A photograph taken as a direct exposure without negative.
Synonyms: snapshot, image
Antonyms: N/A (less common usage)
Examples of Use
Adjective
Literature: "The still night air was heavy with the scent of jasmine." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
Newspapers: "The city remained still as the hurricane approached." (The New York Times)
Adverb
General Discourse: "I'm still waiting for my order."
Online Publications: "Despite the challenges, the team is still determined to succeed." (TechCrunch)
Verb
Literature: "The storm gradually stilled as the sun began to rise." (Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights)
Entertainment: "Her sobs slowly stilled as she found comfort in her friend's arms." (A movie script)
Noun
Photography: "The photographer captured a stunning still of the model." (Vogue magazine)
Filmmaking: "The director meticulously reviewed the film stills." (Film industry jargon)
Note: The noun form "stills" (plural) is less common in everyday language and primarily used in technical or specialized contexts.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Still
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (Plato, Apology)
"To be, or not to be: that is the question." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" - Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech
"Still waters run deep." - English proverb
"The only thing constant is change." - Heraclitus
"In the stillness of the night, the mind often finds its greatest clarity."
"Stillness is not silence, but a deep listening."
"To truly know oneself, one must first learn to be still."
"Even in the midst of chaos, there is a still point within."
"Stillness is the canvas upon which life paints its masterpiece."
Etymology
Where did "still" come from?
The word "still" is actually quite old! It goes way back to a language family called Proto-Indo-European. This is like the great-grandparent of many languages we speak today, including English.
Over time, this word changed as languages evolved. It became "still" in Old English, which is an old version of English. People used it to describe something that was quiet, calm, or not moving.
What did it mean first?
The first meaning of "still" was something like "quiet" or "motionless." So, if you imagined a calm lake without any ripples, you'd say it was "still."
It's interesting how one simple word can have such a long history and how its meaning has stayed pretty close to the original idea of quiet and stillness.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Still
Common Phrases:
Still life: a picture of inanimate objects
Stand still: remain motionless
Sit still: remain seated without moving
Still waters run deep: a quiet person can be very deep or complex
Still and all: nevertheless, in spite of that
Less Common or Original Phrases:
Still point: a moment of peace or tranquility (inspired by T.S. Eliot)
Still voice: a quiet but powerful influence
Still heart: a calm and peaceful mind
Stillness within: inner peace and composure
Idioms with Similar Effect (using synonyms):
Hold your horses: wait patiently (instead of "stand still")
Keep your cool: remain calm (instead of "keep still")
Quiet as a mouse: very quiet (instead of "still as a statue")
Why fewer idioms with "still"?
While "still" is a versatile word, it doesn't lend itself to as many colorful idioms as some other words. Many idioms are based on vivid imagery or metaphors, which "still" doesn't inherently evoke. However, it can be used effectively in various phrases and expressions, as shown above.
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Source Information
Definition of still from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
