Category:Soothe

Soothe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soothed; p. pr. & vb. n. Soothing.] Etym: [originally, to assent to as true; oe. so to verify, as. ges to prove The truth of, to bear witness. See sooth, a.]

1. To assent to as true. [obs.] Testament of love.

2. To assent to; to comply with; to gratify; to humor by compliance; To please with blandishments or soft words; to flatter. Good, my lord, soothe him, let him take the fellow. Shak. I've tried the force of every reason on him, soothed and caressed, Been angry, soothed again. Addison.

3. To assuage; to mollify; to calm; to comfort; as, to soothe a Crying child; to soothe one's sorrows. Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or Bend a knotted oak. Congreve. Though the sound of fame may for a moment soothe, it can not slake The fever of vain longing. Byron.

Syn. -- to soften; assuage; allay; compose; mollify; tranquilize; pacify; Mitigate.