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. alecgan; a- (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.

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Al*lay" (#), v. t.

To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside.

"When the rage allays."

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Al*lay", n.

Alleviation; abatement; check.

[Obs.]

 

© Webster 1913.


Al*lay", n.

Alloy.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

 

© Webster 1913.


Al*lay", v. t.

To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate.

[Archaic]

Fuller.

 

© Webster 1913.

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