Allaying - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

al·lay

Audio Help [uh-ley] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -layed, -lay·ing.

1.	to put (fear, doubt, suspicion, anger, etc.) to rest; calm; quiet.

2.	to lessen or relieve; mitigate; alleviate: to allay pain.

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME aleyen, OE ālecgan to put down, allay (ā- a-³ + lecgan to lay¹); sp. -ll- shows influence of the now obs. allege (< AF, OF aleg(i)er; see allege) to alleviate, allay

]

—Related forms

al·lay·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. soften, assuage. Allay, moderate, soothe mean to reduce excitement or emotion. To allay is to lay to rest or lull to a sense of security, possibly by making the emotion seem unjustified: to allay suspicion, anxiety, fears. To moderate is to tone down any excess and thus to restore calm: to moderate the expression of one's grief. To soothe is to exert a pacifying or tranquilizing influence: to soothe a terrified child. 2. lighten, mollify, temper, ease.

—Antonyms 1. excite.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Allaying

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

al·lay Audio Help (ə-lā') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. al·layed, al·lay·ing, al·lays

To reduce the intensity of; relieve: allay back pains. See Synonyms at relieve.
To calm or pacify; set to rest: allayed the fears of the worried citizens.