allay — to make (a strong feeling) less intense; to calm or reduce fears, concerns, or pain
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to make (a strong feeling) less intense; to calm or reduce fears, concerns, or pain
Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈleɪ/
Example Sentences
- The CEO held a meeting to allay employees' fears about the company merger.
- Nothing could allay my grandmother's suspicion that the mailman was stealing her packages.
- The doctor prescribed medication to allay the patient's chronic pain.
allay
VERB[/əˈleɪ/]
to make (a strong feeling) less intense; to calm or reduce fears, concerns, or pain
Mother calming child's fears and pain
The delayed display helped allay her dismay
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'alecgan' (to lay down, put aside), combining the prefix 'a-' (to, toward) with 'lecgan' (to lay). The sense shifted from 'to lay down' to 'to calm or reduce' through the metaphorical idea of laying down or putting aside one's fears or concerns.
Breakdown
a- (to, toward) + lay (to place down) = allay (to lay aside, to calm or reduce)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The CEO held a meeting to allay employees' fears about the company merger.”
“Nothing could allay my grandmother's suspicion that the mailman was stealing her packages.”
“The doctor prescribed medication to allay the patient's chronic pain.”
“His joke failed miserably to allay the awkward tension after he forgot his girlfriend's birthday.”
📚Related Words
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