allay Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb lessen the intensity of or calm
    relieve; still; ease.
    • The news eased my conscience
    • still the fears
  2. verb satisfy (thirst)
    quench; slake; assuage.
    • The cold water quenched his thirst

WordNet

Al*lay" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. alecgan; a- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See Lay.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Allayed present participle & verbal noun Allaying
Definitions
  1. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay the tumult of the passions.
  2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity.
    It would allay the burning quality of that fell poison. Shak.
    Syn. -- To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate; subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See Alleviate.
Al*lay" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside. "When the rage allays." Shak.
Al*lay" noun
Definitions
  1. Alleviation; abatement; check. Obs.
Al*lay" noun
Definitions
  1. Alloy. Obs. Chaucer.
Al*lay" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate. Archaic Fuller.

Webster 1913