Meaning of soothe in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /suð/

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  1. Verb

    soothe

    Etymology

    Old English sōthian ‘verify, show to be true’, from sōth ‘true’ (see sooth). In the 16th century the verb passed through the senses ‘corroborate (a statement’), ‘humor (a person) by expressing assent’ and ‘flatter by one's assent’, whence ‘mollify, appease’ (late 17th century)

    Definitions

    1. give moral or emotional strength to

    Derived terms

  2. 2. cause to feel better

    Examples

    • « the medicine soothes the pain of the inflammation »

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « O! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound a heart that's broken! »
    Walter Scott
  • « When music fails to agree to the ear, to soothe the ear and the heart and the senses, then it has missed the point. »
    Maria Callas

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