v.
Pronunciation: ' so ̇ -f ə n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: soft · ened ; soft · en · ing \ ' so ̇ -f ə -ni ŋ , ' so ̇ f-ni ŋ \
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to make soft or softer
2 a : to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (as preliminary bombardment) ― often used with up b : to impair the strength or resistance of ― often used with up < soften up a sales prospect>
intransitive verb : to become soft or softer <her face soften ed >
– soft · en · er \ ' so ̇ -f ə -n ə r, ' so ̇ f-n ə r \ noun