Category:Allay

Al*lay", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Allaying.] Etym: [OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. alecgan; a- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See Lay.]

1. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay the tumult of the passions.

2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity. It would allay the burning quality of that fell poison. Shak.

Syn.

-- To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate; subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See Alleviate.

Al*lay", v. t.

Defn: To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside. "When the rage allays." Shak.

Al*lay", n.

Defn: Alleviation; abatement; check. [Obs.]

Al*lay", n.

Defn: Alloy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Al*lay", v. t.

Defn: To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate. [Archaic] Fuller.