assuage

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
  2. verb satisfy (thirst)
  3. verb provide physical relief, as from pain

Etymology

From Middle English aswagen, from Old French asuagier (“to appease, to calm”), from Vulgar Latin *assuāviō (“to sweeten, to butter up, to calm”), derived from Latin ad- + suāvis (“sweet”) + -iō.

In classic literature

Synonyms

pacify, lenify, conciliate, appease, mollify, placate, gentle, gruntle

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