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.