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pacifiable

 - 3 dictionary results

pac⋅i⋅fy

[pas-uh-fahy]
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy⋅ing.
1. to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquillity; quiet; calm: to pacify an angry man.
2. to appease: to pacify one's appetite.
3. to reduce to a state of submission, esp. by military force; subdue.

Origin:
1425–75; late ME < L pācificāre to make peace. See pacific, -fy


pac⋅i⋅fi⋅a⋅ble, adjective
pac⋅i⋅fy⋅ing⋅ly, adverb


2. soothe, mollify, assuage.


2. anger, enrage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pacifiable
pac·i·fy   (pās'ə-fī')   
tr.v.   pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing, pac·i·fies
  1. To ease the anger or agitation of.

  2. To end war, fighting, or violence in; establish peace in.


[Middle English pacifien, from Old French pacifier, from Latin pācificāre : pāx, pāc-, peace; see pag- in Indo-European roots + -ficāre, -fy.]
pac'i·fi'a·ble adj.
Synonyms: These verbs refer to allaying another's anger, belligerence, discontent, or agitation. To pacify is to restore calm to or establish peace in: "The explanation . . . was merely an invention framed to pacify his guests" (Charlotte Brontë). An army was required in order to pacify the islands.
Mollify stresses the soothing of hostile feelings: The therapist mollified the angry teenager by speaking gently.
Conciliate implies winning over, often by reasoning and with mutual concessions: "A wise government knows how to enforce with temper or to conciliate with dignity" (George Grenville).
Appease and placate suggest satisfying claims or demands or tempering antagonism, often by granting concessions: I appeased my friend's anger with a compliment. A sincere apology placated the indignant customer.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

pacify 
1460, from M.Fr. pacifier, from O.Fr., "make peace," from L. pacificare "to make peace, pacify," from pacificus (see pacific). Pacifier "one who pacifies or appeases" is first recorded 1533; the meaning "nipple-shaped device for babies" is first recorded 1904.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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