The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allayed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Allaying.] [OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down,
   humble, put an end to, AS. [=a]lecgan; [=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.
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   2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the
      severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity.
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            It would allay the burning quality of that fell
            poison.                               --Shak.
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   Syn: To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate;
        subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See
        Alleviate.
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