sooth

n. [ AS. sōð. See Sooth, a. ] 1. Truth; reality. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sooth it this, the cut fell to the knight. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

In good sooth,
Its mystery is love, its meaninng youth. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Augury; prognostication. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The soothe of birds by beating of their wings. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Blandishment; cajolery. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a.; also adv. [ Compar. Soother superl. Soothest. ] [ OE. soth, AS. sōð, for sanð; akin to OS. sōð, OHG. sand, Icel. sannr, Sw. sann, Dan. sand, Skr. sat, sant, real, genuine, present, being; properly p. pr. from a root meaning, to be, Skr. as, L. esse; also akin to Goth. sunjis true, Gr. 'eteo`s, Skr. satya. √9. Cf. Absent, Am, Essence, Is, Soothe, Sutee. ] 1. True; faithful; trustworthy. [ Obs. or Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sentence [ meaning ] of it sooth is, out of doubt. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

That shall I sooth (said he) to you declare. Spensser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Pleasing; delightful; sweet. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The soothest shepherd that ever piped on plains. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

With jellies soother than the creamy curd. Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

n. One who, or that which, soothes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Sooth + fast, that is, fast or firm with respect to truth. ] Firmly fixed in, or founded upon, the thruth; true; genuine; real; also, truthful; faithful. [ Archaic ] -- Sooth"fast`ness, n. [Archaic] “In very soothfastness.” Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Why do not you . . . bear leal and soothfast evidence in her behalf, as ye may with a clear conscience! Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

adv. Soothly; really; in fact. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I care not if the pomps you show
Be what they soothfast appear. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & n. from Soothe, v. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a soothing manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In truth; truly; really; verily. [ Obs. ] “Soothly for to say.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]