PsychologyAugust 25, 2026
equanimity
EE-kwuh-NIM-uh-tee
Definition
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult or highly charged situation.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'aequanimitas', which combines 'aequus' (even or equal) and 'animus' (mind or spirit). It entered English in the early 17th century to describe a calm and composed state of mind.
In the news
In the article, equanimity is used to describe a state of emotional balance that someone driven by constant defiance may mistake for surrender. It highlights the difficulty of finding peace when one is constantly fueled by the need to prove critics wrong.
How doubt, defiance, and the desire to prove others wrong can fuel achievement.
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today