soothen.
/suːð/, U.S. /suð/ rare.
A soothing feeling or effect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [noun] > calming feeling or effect
soothe1947
1947 Landfall (N.Z.) I. iv. 267 They felt the soothe of the darkness.
1971 J. Gardner Every Night's a Bullfight vii. 170 Close whispering, kissing; the soothe of flesh against flesh.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
soothev.
/suːð/, U.S. /suð/ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)]
i-sothea925
soothec950
fanda1000
kitheOE
betell1048
showc1175
prove?c1225
treousec1275
stablisha1325
approve1340
verifyc1386
justifya1393
tryc1412
answer?a1425
appreve?c1450
to make gooda1470
convictc1475
averifyc1503
arguea1513
find1512
pree1515
comprobate1531
demonstrate1538
conclude1549
convince1555
argument1558
evict1571
avoucha1593
evidencea1601
remonstrate1601
clear1605
attaint1609
monstrate1609
evince1610
evince1611
improve1613
remonstrance1621
to make out1653
ascertain1670
to bring off1674
to make (something) to through1675
render1678
substantiatea1691
establisha1704
to bring out1727
realize1763
validate1775
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt., Int. 7 Ðas..fewer godspelles..ðæs witges boc ec soðeð vel fæstnagið.
a1240 Sawles Warde in Old Eng. Hom. I. 261 Þe prophetes þe.. seoð nu al þat isoðet, þat ha hefden longe ear icwiddet of ure lauerd.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4235 Þas weord ich wulle þe treosien...þat ich hit wulle soðien.
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 8315 Ich hit wolle soþi bi mine god treuwe.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxxv Loke than..thou perseuer in my seruyce,..that thilke skorne in thyn enemyes mowe this on thy person be not sothed.
1588 N. Trotte in T. Hughes et al. Misfort. Arthur (1900) Introd. 111 They hold the grounds which time & vse hath sooth'd (Though shallow sense conceiue them as conceits).
a. To declare (a statement) to be true; to uphold as the truth; to corroborate, support. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > maintain or uphold as true [verb (transitive)]
haveOE
werea1300
maintainc1350
confirmc1380
sustainc1430
defendc1475
to hold in hand1530
uphold1530
soothea1556
dispute1610
sticklea1661
to hold out1847
claim1864
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate > on basis of truth
verify1525
soothea1556
vouch1591
warrant1605
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) i. i. sig. A.iij Then must I sooth it, what euer it is: For what he sayth or doth can not be amisse, Holde vp his yea and nay.
c1571 E. Campion Two Bks. Hist. Ireland (1963) i. xiv. 47 Verely beying inquisityve of these matters I could fynde no one of them sothid by suche persons uppon whose relation I am disposyd to venter.
1580 T. Lupton Siuqila 75 For every worde that the riche speaketh is soothed and counted for an Oracle.
1600 Wisdome Doctor Dodypoll ii. sig. C4v Do thou but soothe, What I my selfe will presently deuise.
1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale ix. 75 Soothinge his cause, that brave thinges ill begunn Standes recompensd, if held out till rewonn.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > false assertion > assert falsely [verb (transitive)]
feigna1300
liea1300
pretend1395
belie1561
misallege1566
pretence1567
perjurea1586
soothe1591
falsify1606
mislaya1626
misaffirma1631
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. i. 20 Galba yielding to an vntruth so generally soothed, puts on a brest-plate.
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xii. lxxii. 299 Vpon my Tongue shall mine Opinion dye, Though should I say to it..Amen, I sooth'd no Lye.
1610 A. Cooke Pope Ioane 43 Protestant. Why may it not be true though it be deliuered with vt asseritur? Papist. Why? Because lies are commonly so soothed.
1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale vii. 170 For o, but putt this word (truith) in theire mowth, And laughe for aye, to heere what lies they soothe.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate
fasteneOE
i-sothea925
sustainc1325
witness1362
approvec1380
confirmc1384
affirma1393
justifya1393
to bear outa1475
corrobore1485
uphold1485
nourisha1522
underpinc1522
to countenance outa1529
favoura1530
soothe1544
strengthen1548
comfort1593
second1596
accredit1598
evidencea1601
warrantise1600
compact1608
back1612
thickena1616
accreditate1654
shoulder1674
support1691
corroborate1706
carry1835
to give (also lend) colour1921
1544 in State Papers Henry VIII (1849) X. 185 Grandvela wold have denyed the French King to have been taken prysoner by meane of Your Majestie, but Monsr de Praet wold not sothe him in it.
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iii. sig. Gv Deale cunningly, Salue all suspitions, onely sooth me vp.
1611 T. Heywood Golden Age iv. sig. H2v If we get entrance, sooth me vp in all things.
1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine v. ii. sig. M2 Sooth me in all I say There is a maine end in't.
a. To confirm, encourage, or humour (a person) in something by expressing assent or approval.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > lessen in strictness or severity [verb (transitive)] > indulge
to cocker up1550
soothe1569
cock1570
cocker1571
soothe1573
humour1598
indulge1660
gratify1662
society > authority > lack of strictness > lessen in strictness or severity [verb (reflexive)] > indulge
soothe1569
the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > agree with [verb (transitive)] > confirm, encourage, or humour by
soothe1569
soothe1573
the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > be in agreement [verb (reflexive)] > confirm, encourage, or humour by
soothe1569
soothe1573
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 395 No man durst..aduise hym in any thing, but must sothe him in whatsoeuer he sayd, or did.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 61v These be they that soothe younge youthes in their owne sayinges, that vpholde them in all theyr dooinges.
1613–8 S. Daniel Coll. Hist. Eng. (1621) 146 [Princes] are apter to learne to know their greatnesse, then themselues; being euer soothed in all whatsoeuer they doe.
1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 37 If a private friend admonish not,..but if he sooth him, and allow him in his faults [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > lessen in strictness or severity [verb (transitive)] > indulge
to cocker up1550
soothe1569
cock1570
cocker1571
soothe1573
humour1598
indulge1660
gratify1662
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > approve [verb (reflexive)] > encourage by expressing approval
soothe1573
the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > agree with [verb (transitive)] > confirm, encourage, or humour by
soothe1569
soothe1573
the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > be in agreement [verb (reflexive)] > confirm, encourage, or humour by
soothe1569
soothe1573
1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 9 If a man feed not there humor, nor sooth them up in there saiings.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iv. ii. 193 They will not let them bee corrected or controled, but still soothed vp in every thing they doe.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode iii. ii. 40 Do not you fall on him, Medley, and snub him. Sooth him up in his extravagance!
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 238 Rendring it an Argument for Presumption to sooth us up in Impenitence and Sloth.
a. To blandish, cajole, or please (a person) by agreement or assent; to flatter in this way; to humour. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assent > [verb (intransitive)] > please by assent
soothe1580
the mind > language > statement > assent > [verb (transitive)] > please or humour (a person) by agreement or assent
soothe1580
soothe1601
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > flatter [verb (transitive)]
flatter?c1225
flackera1250
slickc1250
blandishc1305
blandc1315
glozec1330
beflatter1340
curryc1394
elkena1400
glaverc1400
anointa1425
glotherc1480
losenge1480
painta1513
to hold in halsc1560
soothe1580
smooth1584
smooth1591
soothe1601
pepper1654
palp1657
smoothify1694
butter1700
asperse1702
palaver1713
blarney1834
sawder1834
soft-soap1835
to cock up1838
soft-solder1838
soother1842
behoney1845
soap1853
beslaver1861
beslobber1868
smarm1902
sugar1923
sweetmouth1948
smooth-talk1950
1580 T. Tusser Fiue Hundred Pointes Good Husbandrie (new ed.) f. 12 She..sets open the chest, for such as can sooth hir, and all away wrest.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xv. 143 The yeoman thinking it good manner to soothe his Sergeant, said [etc.].
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 598 The Cyrenæans to sooth this proud King, which would needs be taken for the sonne of Ammon, stamped his shape in their coynes, with two hornes of a Ram.
a1649 W. Drummond Wks. (1711) 152 I can neither love nor sooth any other, be they never so powerful.
1680 T. Otway Orphan ii. 12 The grave dull fellow of small business sooths The Humorist, and will needs admire his Wit.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assent > [verb (transitive)] > please or humour (a person) by agreement or assent
soothe1580
soothe1601
the mind > language > statement > assent > [verb (reflexive)] > please by agreement or assent
soothe1601
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > flatter [verb (transitive)]
flatter?c1225
flackera1250
slickc1250
blandishc1305
blandc1315
glozec1330
beflatter1340
curryc1394
elkena1400
glaverc1400
anointa1425
glotherc1480
losenge1480
painta1513
to hold in halsc1560
soothe1580
smooth1584
smooth1591
soothe1601
pepper1654
palp1657
smoothify1694
butter1700
asperse1702
palaver1713
blarney1834
sawder1834
soft-soap1835
to cock up1838
soft-solder1838
soother1842
behoney1845
soap1853
beslaver1861
beslobber1868
smarm1902
sugar1923
sweetmouth1948
smooth-talk1950
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. v. sig. H3 I thought he was mad in putting me To such an enterprise, and therefore sooth'd him vp, With I sir, yes sir, and so sir, at each word.
1652 J. Gaule Πυς-μαντια 22 O ye Hypocrites! that..flatter and Sooth up others, to a doating presumption [etc.].
1729 G. Adams tr. Sophocles Antigone v. ii, in tr. Sophocles Trag. II. 67 Why should I sooth you up with those Tales, wherein at least I shall appear a Liar.
a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) I. 178 The game lay by soothing up the King, and pushing him on in designs of advancing his prerogative.
1814 W. Nicholson Tales in Verse 25 A wilie, spruce, an' nipping blade, Wha..sooth'd the lasses up wi' baubles.
ΚΠ
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares 14 b Hee sootheth him vp, that if God would not haue had him sinne, hee woulde neuer haue giuen him..the meanes to sinne with.
1614 J. Day Dyall 169 Let no man sooth vp himselfe that he hath a pure and immaculate heart.
1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 4 Yet I may erre perhaps in soothing my selfe that this present truth [etc.].
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) London 207 When soothed up by the servants, that not John but some other of his brothers did cry.
ΚΠ
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Fijv Like shrill-tongu'd Tapsters answering euerie call, Soothing the humor of fantastique wits. View more context for this quotation
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 150 Those that humour, and sooth up corrupt nature.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. C iij [He] commendeth even those things..which in his heart he doth detest, to the end that he may sooth up the Humour of the Party.
a. To smooth or gloss over (an offence, etc.); to render less objectionable or offensive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > excuse > excuse (a person or fault) [verb (transitive)] > extenuate
whiteOE
gloze1390
colourc1400
emplasterc1405
littlec1450
polish?c1450
daub1543
plaster1546
blanch1548
flatter1552
extenuate1570
alleviate1577
soothe1587
mincea1591
soothe1592
palliate1604
sweeten1635
rarefy1637
mitigate1651
glossa1656
whitewash1703
qualify1749
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. i. 11 Some..haue striued to perswade themselues by soothing their owne sinnes, that they haue no Soule at all.
1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher v. sig. I3 His grosse dotage rather loath'd then sooth'd.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iii. iii. 175 What? has your King married the Lady Grey? And now to sooth your Forgery, and his, Sends me a Paper to perswade me Patience? View more context for this quotation
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ v. xii. 13 I am of the number of those, that had rather comend the vertue of an enemy, then sooth the vices of a friend.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > excuse > excuse (a person or fault) [verb (transitive)] > extenuate
whiteOE
gloze1390
colourc1400
emplasterc1405
littlec1450
polish?c1450
daub1543
plaster1546
blanch1548
flatter1552
extenuate1570
alleviate1577
soothe1587
mincea1591
soothe1592
palliate1604
sweeten1635
rarefy1637
mitigate1651
glossa1656
whitewash1703
qualify1749
1592 ‘C. Cony-Catcher’ Def. Conny-catching sig. D3v Who..to aduaunce hys younger brother..was content to lie, cog, and flatter, and to take any seruile paines, to sooth vp the matter.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. iii. vii. 552 We aucthorize their deffects and sooth-vp their vices.
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 519 Can wee religiously think the holy Ghost would doe anything to sooth up or countenance a popular error.
7. in extended use.1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 146 It [sc. the emulsion] sooths up and composeth to quiet, the mad, raging Spirits.a1822 P. B. Shelley Fragm. Unfinished Drama in Posthumous Poems (1824) 101 Calming me as the loveliness of heaven Soothes the unquiet sea.
a. To render (an animal, a person, the feelings) calm or quiet; to restore to a normally peaceful or tranquil condition; to mollify or appease.
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
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 105 If to the Warlike Steed thy Studies bend,..Sooth him with Praise, and make him understand The loud Applauses of his Master's Hand. View more context for this quotation
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. ix. 249 With this he sooths his angry Soul.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II II. xvii. 108 He may humble himself so far as to soothe us with the hopes of a more mild administration.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. xiv. 283 Was he only trying too [sic] soothe and pacify her, and make her overlook the previous affront? View more context for this quotation
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. 22 It was particularly important to soothe Wharton, who had been exasperated [etc.].
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire ii. 10 Ariovistus had been soothed by the title of Friend of the Roman People.
b. Const. to. Also, to induce to do something.
ΚΠ
1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires i. i. 27 As Masters fondly sooth their Boys to read With Cakes and Sweetmeats.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. x. 264 When I walk boldly up to a surly mastiff, and caress him, it is ten to one I soothe him to good temper.
c. With direct speech as object: to say in a soothing manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > say pleasingly or distinctly
sing1605
troll1631
soothe1934
1934 N. Marsh Man lay Dead xii. 206 ‘You shall have every opportunity,’ soothed Alleyn.
1976 I. Levin Boys from Brazil iii. 77 ‘I agree, Josef, I agree,’ the colonel soothed.
8. in extended use.1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 66 Sweet harmony, that sooths the midnight hour!
a. To bring to a calm or composed condition; to affect in a tranquillizing and agreeable manner.
ΚΠ
1747 T. Gray Ode Eton Coll. 4 My weary Soul they seem to sooth.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. 26 The male sits near his mate upon some tree, and sooths her by his singing.
1818 J. Keats Endymion i. 40 Fold A rose leaf round thy finger's taperness, And soothe thy lips.
1869 R. Browning Ring & Bk. IV. x. 71 A cloud may soothe the eye made blind by blaze.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon I. 255 Poetry of a certain kind soothed him.
b. Const. to (a certain state).
ΚΠ
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II cxiii. 175 The soft warm hand of youth..bathing his chill temples, tried to soothe Each pulse to animation.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 82 This monotony soothed her to sleep.
9.
a. To reduce the force or intensity of (a passion, pain, etc.); to render less painful or violent; to allay, assuage, mitigate, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > mitigate or alleviate
lithec897
lighteOE
lissea1000
stillc1000
alightOE
alithe?a1200
softc1225
swagec1330
abate?c1335
easea1374
accoya1375
allegea1375
stintc1374
slakea1387
assuage1393
planea1400
slecka1400
plasterc1400
soften?c1415
lighten?a1425
mitigate?a1425
relievec1425
asoftc1430
alleviate?a1475
allevya1500
sletcha1500
alleve1544
allevate1570
salve?1577
sweetena1586
smooth1589
disembitter1622
deleniate1623
slaken1629
tranquillitate1657
soothe1711
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 170. ¶7 An intimate Friend that will..condole their Sufferings, and endeavour to sooth and asswage their secret Resentments.
1745 E. Young Consolation 2 Song sooths our Pains; and age has Pains to sooth.
1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 112 Th' adored Name, I taught thee how to pour in song, To soothe thy flame.
1807 Salmagundi 24 Nov. 370 As if anxious to soothe the last moments of his master.
1868 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. I. 402 Soothing agitation or putting an end to discord.
1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope iv. 92 He was constantly wanting coffee, which seems to have soothed his headaches.
b. To drive away, to dispel, by soothing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve of suffering
lighteOE
unbindc950
alightOE
slakea1300
deliverc1325
covera1375
lissec1374
relievea1382
allegea1425
refreshc1430
alighten1530
untaste1609
mitigate1644
disaffright1676
soothe1746
shrive1899
1746 W. Dunkin tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. ii. 46 Who..with melting Airs Of empty Music sooth away our Cares.
1855 E. C. Gaskell Ruth xxiv. 208 The deep sense of penitence..he mistook for earthly shame; which he imagined he could soon soothe away.
c. To soften, tone down, render less harsh or prominent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > tone down
temperc1000
modifyc1385
softenc1410
tame?a1500
qualify1536
temperatea1540
extenuate1561
supple1609
dilute1665
palliate1665
weaken1683
subdue1723
lower1780
modulate1783
to shade away1817
to water down1832
to water down1836
sober1838
veil1843
to tone down1847
to break down1859
soothe1860
tone1884
to key down1891
soft-pedal1912
1860 N. Hawthorne Transformation I. xvi. 257 Artificial fantasies, which the calm moonlight soothed into better taste than was native to them.
10. absol. To have or exercise a soothing or tranquillizing influence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)] > have calming influence
soothe1728
1728 E. Young Universal Passion: Satire VI 11 Ladies supream among amusements reign; By nature born to sooth, and entertain.
1809 Ld. Byron To Florence xi 'Twill soothe to be where thou hast been.
1811 J. Austen Sense & Sensibility III. x. 220 Elinor, impatient to soothe, though too honest to flatter. View more context for this quotation
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lv. 81 O for thy voice to soothe and bless! View more context for this quotation
1871 A. B. Garrod Essentials Materia Medica (new ed.) 171 The decoction..is employed as an external application to allay pain and soothe.
Derivatives
soothed adj. /suːðd/
/suːðd/ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > [adjective] > commended or praised
losedc1305
herieda1400
praiseda1400
flatteredc1440
commended1477
magnified1554
soothed1601
extolled1632
cried-up1642
lauded1824
acclaimed1867
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective] > made calm
pleaseda1382
ycesed1387
pacified1530
appeased1532
reduced1642
pacate1645
becalmed1667
smoothed1713
pacated1727
lulled1787
sobered1797
soothed1820
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love v. i. sig. Kv Like an enuious wretch, That glitters onely to his soothed selfe. View more context for this quotation
16.. The Distracted Emperor in A. H. Bullen Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1884) III. 184 What will not soothed prynces?
1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in Lamia & Other Poems 96 The poppied warmth of sleep oppress'd Her soothed limbs.
1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 277 A rainbow of sweet sounds, Just spanning the soothed sense.
1845 B. Disraeli Sybil III. v. iii. 45 A warmth which expressed her sense of his kindness and her own soothed feelings.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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v.c950