Allay | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Allayed p. pr. & vb. n. Allaying. ] [ OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. ālecgan; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See Lay. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity. [ 1913 Webster ] It would allay the burning quality of that fell poison. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate; subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See Alleviate. [ 1913 Webster ] |