assuage English · revision 2394

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈsweɪd͡ʒ/; /əˈswɑʒ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|asswagen]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline) [[bor|xno|assuager]],^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[der|fro|assoagier|t=to soften, calm]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD)^(RHWU) [[der|la-vul|*assuāviāre]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) [[af|la|ad-|suāvis|t1=to|t2=sweet, agreeable]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline) [[der|ine-pro|*swād-|t=sweet, pleasant]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD) Barnhart compares the development of the Latin ''-vi-'' into French ''-g-'' with ''déluge'' from Latin ''dīluvium''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Middle English very often used the shortened form ''swage''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To relax or moderate a harsh law (c1300), and to soften or calm angry feelings or an excited person (c1325–1330).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal idea is “to sweeten”.^(RHWU)^(Etymonline) In Middle English the verb applied to feelings, pain and appetites,^(OED 1989) and also intransitively to anything that abated or subsided, including floodwaters and swellings.^(OED 1989) The intransitive and general “diminish” senses are now archaic or obsolete,^(OED 1989) leaving the transitive senses of easing pain or grief, satisfying an appetite and pacifying someone.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c1300 – to moderate a harsh law.^(OED 1989)

+ * c1325 – to pacify a person.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1330 – to calm angry feelings; intransitive, to abate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1393 – to relieve physical or mental pain.^(OED 1989)

+ * c1430 – to satisfy an appetite; to make less, especially something swollen.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make something painful or distressing less severe; to ease.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To satisfy or appease an appetite or desire, such as hunger or thirst.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # To pacify, calm or soothe.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(archaic)'' To grow less; to subside or abate.^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[assuagement]]

+ * [[assuager]]

+ * [[unassuaged]]

+ * [[unassuaging]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[suave]]

+ * [[sweet]]

+ * [[persuade]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}