Soothe (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Soothed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Soothing.] [Originally, to assent to as true; OE.
so?ien to verify, AS. ges??ian 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.