Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
tambora
tambotie
tambour
tamboura
tambourin
tambourine
tambu-bambu band
tamby
tame
Tamil
Tamil Nadu
tamis
Tammany Hall
Tammuz
tammy (1)
tammy (2)
tamoxifen
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "tame" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

tame

tame [ taym ]


adjective  (comparative tam·er, superlative tam·est)
Definition:
 
1. no longer wild: changed from a wild or uncultivated state to one suitable for domestic use or life

2. friendly toward people: describes an animal or bird unafraid of human contact

3. docile: habitually inclined to submit to the wishes of others

4. bland: lacking in the qualities that make something interesting, e.g. imagination, adventurousness, or inspiration
a tame rendition of the anthem

5. slow-moving: describes a river or part of a river with very little current



transitive verb  (past and past participle tamed, present participle tam·ing, 3rd person present singular tames)
Definition:
 
1. domesticate something: to make a wild animal or uncultivated land suitable for domestic life or use

2. subdue somebody: to remove the wildness, spirit, or energy from somebody or something

3. moderate something: to make something much less harsh or extreme

4. bring something under human control: to bring a natural force under human control
a series of dams to tame the raging river

[ Old English tam< Indo-European, "constrain"]

tam·a·ble adjective
tame·ly adverb
tame·ness noun
tam·er noun
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft