[saw-fuh-ner, sof-uh-] 
| 1. | Chemistry.
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| 2. | a person or thing that softens. |
| any of a group of substances that when added to water containing calcium and magnesium ions cause the ions to precipitate or change their usual properties: used in the purification of water for the laboratory, and for giving water more efficient sudsing ability with soap. |
| soft·en (sô'fən, sŏf'ən) v. soft·ened, soft·en·ing, soft·ens v. tr.
To become soft or softer. soft'en·er n. |
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