Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
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 — I verb abate, alleviate, appease, assuage, blunt, calm, cause to be still, cause to subside, check, compose, constrain, control, curb, curtail, deaden, decrease, diminish, dull, hush, lenire, lessen, lighten, lull, minimize, mitigare, mitigate,… … Law dictionary
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
