Atame

/ˈætəmeɪ/ verb

Definition

An archaic or dialect word meaning to tame or subdue an animal or person.

Etymology

A variant or obsolete form related to 'tame', possibly influenced by Spanish 'atamarle' or similar Romance language forms. The word fell out of common use as 'tame' became the standard English term.

Kelly Says

This word shows how English once had many different ways to express the same idea—'atame' was just one of several competing versions for 'tame,' and eventually the simpler word won out in the evolutionary competition between synonyms.

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