soothe

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Soothed p. pr. & vb. n. Soothing. ] [ Originally, to assent to as true; OE. soðien to verify, AS. gesōðian to prove the truth of, to bear witness. See Sooth, a. ] 1. To assent to as true. [ Obs. ] Testament of Love. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To assent to; to comply with; to gratify; to humor by compliance; to please with blandishments or soft words; to flatter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Good, my lord, soothe him, let him take the fellow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I've tried the force of every reason on him,
Soothed and caressed, been angry, soothed again. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To assuage; to mollify; to calm; to comfort; as, to soothe a crying child; to soothe one's sorrows. [ 1913 Webster ]

Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. Congreve. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though the sound of Fame
May for a moment soothe, it can not slake
The fever of vain longing. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To soften; assuage; allay; compose; mollify; tranquilize; pacify; mitigate. [ 1913 Webster ]