Mollify

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈmɑːlɪfaɪ/

Alternative forms

• mollifie

Origin

From Latin molliō ("soften, calm"), from mollis ("soft").

Full definition of mollify

Verb

1. To ease a burden; make less painful; to comfort
2. To appease, pacify, gain the good will of.
• 1867, Charles Dickens, , chapter 2:Although this invitation was accompanied with a curtsey that might have softened the heart of a church-warden, it by no means mollified the beadle.
• 1916, L. Frank Baum, , chapter 5:The angry goat was quite mollified by the respectful tone in which he was addressed.
3. To soften; to make tender
• 1662, Henry More, , Book III, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 113:"Nor is it any more difficulty for him to mollifie what is hard, then it is to harden what is so soft and fluid as the Aire."

Synonyms

• (to ease a burden) calm, comfort, soothe
• (to appease) pacify, satisfy

Related terms

• mollified