/ suːð; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to make sb who is anxious, upset, etc. feel calmer
SYN calm :
The music soothed her for a while.
2.
to make a tense or painful part of your body feel more comfortable
SYN relieve :
This should soothe the pain.
Take a warm bath to soothe tense, tired muscles.
► sooth·ing adjective :
a soothing voice / lotion
► sooth·ing·ly adverb :
'There's no need to worry,' he said soothingly.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- soothe sth away
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English sōthian verify, show to be true , from sōth true , of Germanic origin. In the 16th cent. the verb passed through the senses corroborate (a statement) , humour (a person) by expressing agreement and flatter by one's assent , which led to the senses mollify, appease (late 17th cent.).