different between possible vs quiescent

English

Etymology

From Middle English possible, from Old French possible, from Latin possibilis (“possible”), from posse (“to be able”); see power. Displaced Old English mihtl?? (“possible”), which was cognate with Dutch mogelijk (“possible”) and German möglich (“possible”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p?s?bl?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p?s?bl?/
• Hyphenation: pos?si?ble

Adjective

possible (comparative possibler or more possible, superlative possiblest or most possible)

1. (usually not comparable) Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.

   Synonyms: futurable; see also Thesaurus:possible

   Antonyms: certain, inevitable, impossible
2. (comparable) Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.

   Synonyms: achievable, doable, viable

   Antonym: impossible
3. Being considered, e.g. for a position.

4. Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

   Synonyms: likely, plausible

   Antonym: implausible

Derived terms

• as much as possible
• ASAP (“as soon as possible”)
• possibly

Related terms

• possibility
• potent
• potential
• probable
• improbable
• incidental
• contingent

Translations

Noun

possible (plural possibles)

1. A possible one.
2. (colloquial, rare) A possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.

   Jones is a possible for the new opening in sales.

3. (rare) A particular event that may happen.

Synonyms

• possibility
• option

Antonyms

• impossible
• no-go

Translations

Further reading

• possible in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• possible in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• bespoils

Catalan

Etymology

From Latin possibilis.

Pronunciation

• (Balearic, Central) IPA^(key): /pu?si.bl?/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /po?si.ble/

Adjective

possible (masculine and feminine plural possibles)

1. possible

   Antonym: impossible

Derived terms

• possibilitat
• possiblement

Related terms

• impossible

Further reading

• “possible” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.

French

Etymology

From Latin possibilis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?.sibl/

Adjective

possible (plural possibles)

1. possible

Related terms

• possibilité
• possiblement

Noun

possible m (plural possibles)

1. The possible, feasible, what can be done, achieved etc.

Derived terms

Further reading

• “possible” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin qui?sc?ns (“resting, reposing, sleeping”), present participle of qui?scere, from qui?s (“rest, repose, quiet”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?kwa??.?sn?t/, /?kwi?.?sn?t/
• Hyphenation: qui?es?cent

Adjective

quiescent (comparative more quiescent, superlative most quiescent)

1. Inactive, quiet, at rest.
   • 1840, John Wilson, “On the Genius and Character of Burns”, in John Wilson; Robert Chambers, The Land of Burns, a Series of Landscapes and Portraits, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of the Scottish Poet. The Landscapes from Paintings made Expressly for the Work, by D[avid] O[ctavius] Hill, Esq., R.S.A. The Literary Department, by Professor Wilson, of the University of Edinburgh; and Robert Chambers, Esq., Author of the “Scottish Biographical Dictionary,” “Picture of Scotland,” Etc. Etc., volume II, 2nd edition, Glasgow: Blackie & Son, Queen Street, Glasgow; South College Street, Edinburgh; and Warwick Square, London, OCLC 314762618, page ci:

     In times of national security, the feeling of Patriotism among the masses is so quiescent that it seems hardly to exist—in their case national glory or national danger awakens it, and it leaps up armed cap-a-pie.
2. (orthography) Not sounded; silent.

3. (cell biology) Non-proliferating.

Synonyms

• (inactive): dormant; see also Thesaurus:inactive
• (quiet, at rest): calm, still, tranquil; see also Thesaurus:calm
• (not sounded): servile

Derived terms

• quiescence
• quiescently

Translations

See also

• acquiescent
• quiesce

Latin

Verb

qui?scent

1. third-person plural future active indicative of qui?sc?