Allay — Al*lay , 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. [=a]lecgan; [=a] (cf. Goth. us , G. er , orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
allay — (v.) O.E. alecgan to put down, remit, give up, a Germanic compound (Cf. Goth. uslagjan, O.H.G. irleccan, Ger. erlegen), from a down, aside + lecgan to lay (see LAY (Cf. lay)). Early Middle English pronunciations of y and g were not always… … Etymology dictionary
Allay — Al*lay , v. t. To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside. When the rage allays. Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Allay — Al*lay , n. Alleviation; abatement; check. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Allay — Al*lay , n. Alloy. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Allay — Al*lay , v. t. To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate. [Archaic] Fuller. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
allay — *relieve, alleviate, lighten, assuage, mitigate Analogous words: abate, lessen, *decrease, diminish: mollify, *pacify, appease: *moderate, temper Antonyms: intensify Contrasted words: *provoke, excite, stimulate: * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
allay — has inflections allays, allayed, allaying … Modern English usage
allay — [v] reduce something, usually a pain or a problem abate, alleviate, assuage, calm, compose, cool out*, decrease, ease, lessen, lighten, make nice*, mitigate, moderate, mollify, pacify, play up to*, pour oil on*, quiet, square, take the bite out* … New thesaurus
allay — ► VERB 1) diminish or end (fear or concern). 2) alleviate (pain or hunger). ORIGIN Old English, «lay down or aside» … English terms dictionary
