Soothe (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soothed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Soothing.] [Originally, to assent to as true; OE. soien to verify, AS. gesian to prove the truth of, to bear witness. See Sooth, a.]
1.
To assent to as true.
[Obs.]
Testament of Love.
2.
To assent to; to comply with; to gratify; to humor by compliance; to please with blandishments or soft words; to flatter.
Good, my lord, soothe him, let him take the fellow.
Shak.
I've tried the force of every reason on him,
Soothed and caressed, been angry, soothed again.
Addison.
3.
To assuage; to mollify; to calm; to comfort; as, to soothe a crying child; to soothe one's sorrows.
Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.
Congreve.
Though the sound of Fame
May for a moment soothe, it can not slake
The fever of vain longing.
Byron.
Syn. -- To soften; assuage; allay; compose; mollify; tranquilize; pacify; mitigate.
© Webster 1913.