[syn: quench, slake, allay, assuage]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t.
To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside. "When the rage
allays." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Allay \Al*lay"\, n.
Alleviation; abatement; check. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Allay \Al*lay"\, n.
Alloy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t.
To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to
deteriorate. [Archaic] --Fuller.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the
severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity.
[1913 Webster]
It would allay the burning quality of that fell
poison. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate;
subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See
Alleviate.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
allay
v 1: lessen the intensity of or calm; "The news eased my
conscience"; "still the fears" [syn: still, allay,
relieve, ease]
2: satisfy (thirst); "The cold water quenched his thirst" [syn:
quench, slake, allay, assuage]