Definition of: allay

(ə·lā′) v.t. al·layed, al·lay·ing
1. To lessen the violence or reduce the intensity of.
2. To lay to rest, as fears; pacify; calm. [OE ālecgan <ā-away + lecgan lay]
—al·lay′er noun Synonyms: abate, alleviate, appease, assuage, calm, compose, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, mollify, pacify, palliate, quiet, reduce, relieve, soften, soothe, still, tranquilize. We allay suffering by using means to soothe and tranquilize the sufferer; we alleviate suffering by doing something toward removal of the cause. Pacify and appease signify to bring to peace; to mollify is to soften; to mitigate is to make mild; we mollify a temper, mitigate rage or pain. To calm, quiet, or tranquilize is to make still; compose, to adjust to a calm and settled condition; to soothe is to bring to pleased quietude. We allay excitement, calm agitation, compose our feelings, pacify the quarrelsome, quiet the clamorous, soothe grief or distress. Compare ALLEVIATE. Antonyms: agitate, arouse, excite, fan, kindle, provoke, rouse, stir.