— allayer , n.
/euh lay"/ , v.t., allayed, allaying .
1. to put (fear, doubt, suspicion, anger, etc.) to rest; calm; quiet.
2. to lessen or relieve; mitigate; alleviate: to allay pain.
[ bef. 1000; ME aleyen, OE alecgan to put down, allay ( a- A- 3 + lecgan to LAY 1 ); sp. -ll- shows influence of the now obs. allege ( aleg ( i ) er; see ALLEGE) to alleviate, allay ]
Syn. 1. soften, assuage. ALLAY, MODERATE, SOOTHE mean to reduce excitement or emotion. TO ALLAY is to lay to rest or lull to a sense of security, possibly by making the emotion seem unjustified: to allay suspicion, anxiety, fears. TO MODERATE is to tone down any excess and thus to restore calm: to moderate the expression of one's grief. TO SOOTHE is to exert a pacifying or tranquilizing influence: to soothe a terrified child. 2. lighten, mollify, temper, ease.
Ant. 1. excite.