pacifyv.
/ˈpasᵻfʌɪ/, U.S. /ˈpæsəˌfaɪ/ 1.
a. transitive. To bring (a country, people, etc.) to a state of peace. Also: to impose peace upon; to subdue.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make (peace) [verb (transitive)] > pacify (a place or community)
frithc893
peasea1387
pacify1474
peacify1516
stay1537
pacificate1608
1474 [implied in: 1474 in J. B. Sheppard Let. Bks. Monastery Christ Church Canterbury (1887) 278 Our Soveraigne Lord..woll not spare to employe his owne persone in that that may best serve for the pacifieng of the londe inwards. (at pacifying n.)].
a1500 Partenay (Trin. Cambr.) 2530 He paceyfed the contre thorugh-oute, As well in meddes As at endys had.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xix All the pillage almoste was restored, and the countrey pacified.
1565 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 394 To send fourtie..men of weir to the west bordour for helping to pacifie the cuntre.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. x. 46 Counts..were left to govern and defend places conquered, and pacified.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xix. 159 When he had subdued or pacified the Barbarians of the Danube, Constantius proceeded by slow marches into the East.
1851 Southern Literary Messenger 17 611/2 He arrested the ringleaders and imprisoned them, purchased the fortified village from Powhatan and placed them in it, and pacified the Indians.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 18 Apr. 7/1 It would take 100,000 men to pacify the islands.
1972 F. Fitzgerald Fire in Lake ix. 296 The French succeeded in pacifying all but the northern mountains with a very few men.
1992 Economist 15 Aug. 9/2 There is a world of difference between rescuing a viable country from foreign aggression and pacifying a non-country that has collapsed into tribal warfare.
b. transitive. To render (an enemy or other hostile agency) friendly or benign; to propitiate, conciliate; to appease.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate
soft?c1225
queema1325
appeasec1374
pleasea1382
softena1382
mollifya1450
pacifya1500
apeace1523
temper1525
mitigatea1535
qualify?c1550
thaw1582
propitiate1583
aslake1590
smooth1608
to lay down1629
addulce1655
sweeten1657
acquiesce1659
gentle1663
palliate1678
placate1678
conciliate1782
to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847
square1859
square1945
a1500 (a1475) G. Ashby Dicta Philosophorum 841 in Poems (1899) 81 (MED) To pacificie [read pacifie] your enemye, be studious, Thaugh of youre strengh & power ye be seure.
a1549 A. Borde Fyrst Bk. Introd. Knowl. (?1555) xxiv. sig. I.ii I haue money in my pooke To pacyfye the pope the turke and the Iue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 273 He will not now be pacified . View more context for this quotation
1683 R. Dixon Canidia iii. iv. 26 Indians Sacrifice to this Fiend, To pacifie their Foe, and make him their Friend.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier i. 17 By a Way peculiar to her self..she pacified the Mob gradually, sent them home with Promises of Redress and the like.
a1788 J. Wesley & C. Wesley Hymns & Sacred Poems (1868) I. ii. 298 Our all-loving Saviour Hath pacified God, And paid for His favour The price of His blood.
1864 E. R. Charles Chrons. Schönberg-Cotta Family vi. 103 Father Augustine..intercede for me, that my penances may be accepted as a satisfaction for my sins, and may pacify my Judge.
1880 N. Amer. Rev. Feb. 121 Having ratified the Constitution, in order to pacify its opponents the Convention appointed a committee of thirteen to consider the subject of amendments.
1978 Economist (Nexis) 4 Nov. 61 She accuses the Janata government..of being prepared to hand over large slices of Indian territory to pacify China.
2003 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 23 Jan. 9 Peaceniks argue: Violence begets violence. This is about as true as saying that turning the other cheek pacifies your enemy.
c. transitive. To restore (contending parties) to a state of friendly relations; to reconcile (one person or party) with or to another. Also intransitive: to arrive at a reconciliation or a peaceful resolution. Now chiefly South-East Asian.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make (peace) [verb (transitive)] > part combatants
ridc1400
pacifyc1500
redd1536
rede1571
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > reconcile (people)
seema1000
saughtc1000
saughtela1122
accordlOE
i-sehtnec1175
saughtenc1175
to bring, make, set at onec1300
peasec1300
reconcilec1390
corda1400
pacifyc1500
agree1530
reconciliate1539
gree1570
atone1597
compose1597
even1620
to build bridges1886
c1500 Melusine (1895) 245 (MED) He dyscomfyted the Duc in batayll and made hym to be pacyfyed with the kynge of Anssay.
c1571 E. Campion Two Bks. Hist. Ireland (1963) ii. i. 65 Certen busshops resyant there..pacified the townesmen to theire kinge.
1673 R. Head Floating Island 38 Father Adam, by the help of Philip, had so far pacified the parties as to come to a good agreement.
1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Misc. Tracts 107/1 Having made choice of Abubekre, who had greatly exerted himself in pacifying the two parties.
1829 S. Turner Mod. Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) III. ii. v. 171 The diet that was intended to pacify, broke up in July, leaving everything as unsettled and as discordant as before.
1951 A. G. Mazour Russia, Past & Present v. 63 In vain did some Greeks try to pacify the two factions by legalizing the existence of both.
1996 New Straits Times (Malaysia) (Nexis) 12 May 12 Many were..killed when trying to pacify the two confronting factions.
2003 Manila Bull. (Nexis) 4 Mar. A barangay tanod was clubbed to death while his companion was seriously injured when they tried to pacify two groups of teenagers in a recent rumble.
d. transitive. To calm or quell (disorder or conflict); to put down or suppress (an uprising, rebellion, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)]
appease1330
peasea1387
soberc1430
pacifya1513
stay1537
stickle1556
still1570
society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make (peace) [verb (transitive)] > pacify (strife or contention)
appease1330
peasec1330
pacifya1513
stickle1556
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clix. f. lxxxviiv The which was lyke to haue turnyd the Pope to great trowble, if he by polytyke & wyse meanes had not shortly pacyfyed the mater.
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. viii. 302 Manie conditions weare offered..that the matter mighte bee pacified without blood-shedde.
?1570 Homelie against Disobedience & Wylfull Rebellion i. sig. Ci All domesticall rebellions beyng suppressed and pacified.
1625 K. Long tr. J. Barclay Argenis iii. xxii. 219 I know not whether the ciuill dissentions, which but now you pacified, did more cruelly afflict the Land.
1723 P. Ambrose Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester xii. 59 The Mutineers are pacified: The Friends Of Gloucester are retir'd: The Centinels, O'erpower'd with Wine, Sleep a dead Sleep.
1759 D. Hume Hist. Eng. (1812) IV. xxix. 40 [The Emperor] in ten days arrived in Spain, where he soon pacified the tumults which had arisen in his absence.
1864 G. Smith Speeches & Lett. 65 It was proper that Washington should proclaim on what terms a local insurrection in Pennsylvania might be pacified and ended.
1962–3 Harvard Jrnl. Asiatic Stud. 24 35 T'ung Kuan..was ordered to take charge of the imperial forces and to pacify the rebellion.
1991 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 10 Jan. 3 Boris Yeltsin..denounced any use of force to quell nationalist movements or pacify ethnic unrest in the USSR.
2.
a. transitive. To alleviate the distress or agitation of (a person or animal); to soothe, placate; to mollify. Also (occasionally) intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > compose or make calm [verb (transitive)]
softa1225
stilla1325
coolc1330
accoya1375
appeasec1374
attemperc1386
lullc1386
quieta1398
peasea1400
amesec1400
assuagec1400
mesec1400
soberc1430
modify?a1439
establish1477
establish1477
pacify1484
pacify1515
unbrace?1526
settle1530
steady1530
allay1550
calm1559
compromitc1574
restore1582
recollect1587
serenize1598
smooth1604
compose1607
recompose1611
becalm1613
besoothe1614
unprovokea1616
halcyon1616
unstrain1616
leniate1622
tranquillize1623
unperplexa1631
belull1631
sedate1646
unmaze1647
assopiatea1649
serenate1654
serene1654
tranquillify1683
soothe1697
unalarm1722
reserene1755
quietize1791
peacify1845
quieten1853
conjure1856
peace1864
disfever1880
patise1891
de-tension1961
mellow1974
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope viii Thenne was the kynge wel appeased and pacyfyed.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke xv. 328 Eueri vain & void pleasure of the world, which dooeth but for a shorte space pacifie.
1599 Warning for Faire Women I praie you mistris pacifie your selfe.
1682 Fortunatus xx. 52 He comforted her, telling her, he would..return within a year; but this nothing pacified the disconsolate Lady.
1699 E. Ward London Spy I. xii Pacified 'em with good words.
1785 T. Holcroft Follies of Day i. 20 She seemed in a passion, and the Doctor tried to pacify her.
1791 Good Mother-in-law i. 15 When the poor little dears are in arms there is pleasure in nursing them..if they cry, a lump of sugar will pacify them.
1851 G. Borrow Lavengro III. xxix. 348 I forthwith seized the horses by the heads, and used all the means I possessed to soothe and pacify them, employing every gentle modulation of which my voice was capable.
1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner iii. 49 You drain me of money till I have got nothing to pacify her with.
1911 G. Stratton-Porter Harvester xvii. 405 He just sweat blood to pacify her, but he couldn't make it.
2002 Mirror (Nexis) 26 Aug. 27 My daughter hardly ever cried and, if she did, was quickly pacified.
b. transitive. To calm or allay (a strong or hostile feeling); to set at rest (the mind, spirit, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > compose or make calm [verb (transitive)]
softa1225
stilla1325
coolc1330
accoya1375
appeasec1374
attemperc1386
lullc1386
quieta1398
peasea1400
amesec1400
assuagec1400
mesec1400
soberc1430
modify?a1439
establish1477
establish1477
pacify1484
pacify1515
unbrace?1526
settle1530
steady1530
allay1550
calm1559
compromitc1574
restore1582
recollect1587
serenize1598
smooth1604
compose1607
recompose1611
becalm1613
besoothe1614
unprovokea1616
halcyon1616
unstrain1616
leniate1622
tranquillize1623
unperplexa1631
belull1631
sedate1646
unmaze1647
assopiatea1649
serenate1654
serene1654
tranquillify1683
soothe1697
unalarm1722
reserene1755
quietize1791
peacify1845
quieten1853
conjure1856
peace1864
disfever1880
patise1891
de-tension1961
mellow1974
1515 S. Hawes Comforte of Louers sig. B vi Gladde was I than of my ryall floure Of my swerde and shelde I reioyced also It pacyfyed well myn inwarde doloure.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. EEEiiii It shal pacify the senses, quenche euyll thoughtes.
1582 T. Watson Ἑκατομπαθία: Passionate Cent. Loue c. sig. N3 But somewhat more to pacyfie my minde.
1615 J. Stephens Ess. & Characters (new ed.) 282 Vntill a competent bribe pacifie his humor.
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer iii. 1575 Thy selfe apply Gods just incensed wrath to pacifie.
1689 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 628 An Act of Amnesty were more seasonable to paciffie the minds of men.
1726 J. Mitchell & A. Hill Fatal Extravagance ii. iii. 31 I'll try again to pacify his Wrath.
1758 S. Johnson Idler 22 Apr. 17 How skillfully I can pacify resentment.
1848 C. Kingsley Saint's Trag. iv. iii. 210 Two..heretics, Who at the stake shall expiate their crime, And pacify God's wrath against this land.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 155 If they have wronged him and he is angry, he pacifies his anger and is reconciled.
1916 E. R. Burroughs Beasts of Tarzan iv. 63 He called to Sheeta, using a purr similar to that which he had utilized to pacify the brute's suspicions earlier in the day.
2002 Scotl. on Sunday (Nexis) 12 May 18 Bardot was sent a video by a South Korean official, a forlorn attempt to pacify her Gallic anger.
c. transitive. Chiefly literary. To make (an inanimate thing, as the elements) tranquil or calm; to cause (a storm, wind, etc.) to abate or subside. Also figurative.Frequently with some suggestion of placating or propitiating a hostile supernatural agency; cf. sense 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make (the weather or elements) calm
stillOE
lown1513
pacifya1522
to lay down1563
strew1594
lull1680
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vii. i. 6 And all the blastis pacefyit and still.
c1600 Resurrection of Our Lord (1912) 31 Ionas was cast in the sea, to pacifie the tempest.
1616 T. Scot Philomythie sig. I2v He calm'd all stormes, and pacified the wind, To pacient sufferance, bent his humble minde.
1738 S. Johnson London 197 Swift o'er the land the dismal rumour flies, And publick mournings pacify the skies.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles iv. 143 First blaming their want of faith, and then pacifying the storm.
1954 A. R. Vidler Prophecy & Papacy vii. 231 In order to pacify the storm and to obviate the threat to his brother's good works, Lamennais..resigned altogether from the Congregation of St Peter.
2001 Scotsman (Nexis) 9 June 14 Greek tragedy..constantly refers back to the natural world in which these heroes live: the winds they pacify by human sacrifice, the seas on which they must sail, [etc.].
3. intransitive. To become peaceful, calm down; to moderate. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)]
saughtelc1400
breathe1485
pacify1509
settle1591
compose1663
to breathe freely (also easy, easily)1695
tranquillize1748
cool1836
simmer down1842
calm1877
relax1907
to cool it1952
to Zen out1968
mellow1974
to take a chill pill1981
chillax1994
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxviii. 199 My dolourous herte began to pacyfy.
c1600 in G. Stevenson Poems A. Montgomerie (1910) 23 My panis wald pacefie, perchance, In cais I culd ȝour favour find.
1880 S. Baring-Gould Mehalah I. vii. 130 She is a Pacific Ocean when not vexed with storms. She will pacify presently.
2001 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 6 May 21 Any expectation that the northerners' storm would pacify were quickly dashed in the second half.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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