GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Soften , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Softened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Softening.] To make soft or more soft. Specifically: --
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   (a) To render less hard; -- said of matter.
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   Their arrow's point they soften in the flame.
   Gay.
   
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   (b) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable.
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   Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the severe.
   Rambler.
   
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   (c) To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault.
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   (d) To compose; to mitigate; to assuage.
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   Music can soften pain to ease.
   Pope.
   
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   (e) To make calm and placid.
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   All that cheers or softens life.
   Pope.
   
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   (f) To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality.
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   He bore his great commision in his look,
   But tempered awe, and softened all he spoke.
   Dryden.
   
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   (g) To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture.
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   (h) To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as, troops softened by luxury. 
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   (i) To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the opposite; as, to soften the voice.
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2.       
   Soften, v. i. To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or obdurate.
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