Robin
a question about tame (1) if a person is tame or a tame person, can it mean that person is like kind-hearted so that he is willing to help anyone who askes for a help.--which sounds positive. (2) if a person is tame or a tame person, can it mean that person is soft and feeble and embarrassed to reject people's request for a help (negative) ----are they commonly used? (3) a tame life. does it mean a boring life? is it commonly used?
Feb 23, 2017 4:57 AM
Answers · 4
1
1 & 2: Neither of these. The word 'tame' cannot usually be used to describe a person's character. 3: A life or routine can be or seem tame, but only in contrast to another type of life. It has to do with comparative perceptions of how exciting or risky a lifestyle is. A person's life may seem exciting to someone who has a duller life than they do, but 'tame' to another person who leads an even more exciting life.
February 23, 2017
1
Tame, when describing a person, generally refers to a calm nature. A tame person is cooperative and generally avoids getting in arguments. The negative connotation refers to things that are boring, or are playing it too safe. A tame life would be a "boring life," where there aren't too many risks being taken. Tame isn't a very common word in either connotation, in my personal experience.
February 23, 2017
Thanks Paul!
February 24, 2017
'Tame' is for animals. I agree with Su.Ki, you don't use it to describe people's characters.
February 24, 2017
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