- still (adj.)
- O.E. stille "motionless, stationary," from W.Gmc. *steljaz (cf. O.Fris., M.L.G., M.Du. stille, Du. stil, O.H.G. stilli, Ger. still), from root *stel- "fixed, not moving, standing" (see stall (1)). Meaning "quiet, silent" emerged in later O.E.; noun meaning "quietness, the silent part" first attested c.1600, in still of the night. The adverbial sense of "even now, even then, yet" (still standing there) is first recorded 1530s, from notion of "without change or cessation" (late 13c.); the sense of "even, yet" (e.g. still more) is from 1730. Used as a conjunction from 1722. Meaning "ordinary photo" (as distinguished from a motion picture) is attested from 1916. Euphemistic for "dead" in stillborn (1590s). Still-life is from 1690s, translating Du. stilleven.
- still (n.)
- "distilling apparatus," 1533, from M.E. stillen "to distill" (c.1300), a variant of distillen (see distill).
- still (v.)
- "to calm," O.E. stillan, from stille "at rest" (see still (adj.)). Cognate with O.S. stillian, O.N. stilla, Du., O.H.G., Ger. stillen.