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soften

[saw-fuhn, sof-uhn]

Origin

verb (used with object)

to make soft or softer.

verb (used without object)

to become soft or softer.

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Soften is one of our favorite verbs.

So is peculate. Does it mean:

to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

to run away hurriedly; flee.

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Origin:
1325–75; Middle English; see soft, -en¹

Related forms

o·ver·soft·en, verb

re·sof·ten, verb

un·soft·en·ing, adjective

Synonyms
1. melt; mollify, mitigate, soothe, alleviate, calm, quiet, ease.

Antonyms
1, 2. harden.

Link To soften

Collins

World English Dictionary

soften (ˈsɒf^ən)

—vb
1.	to make or become soft or softer
2.	to make or become gentler
3.	(intr) commerce
	a. (of demand, a market, etc) to weaken
	b. (of a price) to fall

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

soften

c.1385, "to mitigate, diminish," from soft (adj.). Meaning "to make physically soft" is from 1530; intrans. sense of "to become softer" is attested from 1611.

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