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sweeten

 - 4 dictionary results

sweet⋅en

  [sweet-n]
Use sweeten in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to make sweet, as by adding sugar.
2. to make mild or kind; soften.
3. to lessen the acridity or pungency of (a food) by prolonged cooking.
4. to reduce the saltiness of (a food or dish) by diluting with water, milk, or other liquid.
5. to make (the breath, room air, etc.) sweet or fresh, as with a mouthwash, spray, etc.
6. (in musical recording) to add musical instruments to (an arrangement), esp. strings for a lusher sound.
7. Chemistry.
a. to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.
b. to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).
8. Informal.
a. to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.
b. to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).
9. to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).
10. Poker. to add stakes to (a pot) before opening.
–verb (used without object)
11. to become sweet or sweeter.
Origin:
1545–55; sweet + -en 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sweeten
sweet·en   (swēt'n)   
v.   sweet·ened, sweet·en·ing, sweet·ens

v.   tr.

  1. To make sweet or sweeter by adding sugar, honey, saccharin, or another sweet substance.

  2. To make more pleasant or agreeable.

  3. To soften or soothe: sweetened her mood.

  4. To make bearable; alleviate.

  5. Informal

    1. To increase the value of (collateral for a loan) by adding more securities.

    2. To enhance the attractiveness or financial desirability of (an offer, for example).

  6. Games To increase the value of (an unwon poker pot) by adding stakes before reopening.

  7. To make less acidic: sweeten the stomach with antacids.

  8. To remove sulfur compounds from (fuel oil or gas).

v.   intr.
To become sweet.
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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Slang Dictionary
sweeten

  1. tv.
    to make a bargain or agreement better or more attractive. : Okay, I'll sweeten the deal. I'll throw in a lighted mirror on the visor.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

sweeten 
1552, from sweet (adj.) + verbal ending -en. The M.E. form of the verb was simply sweet, from O.E. swetan.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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