Sooth

Pronunciation

• IPA: /suːθ/

Origin

Middle English sooth (""), from Old English sōþ ("truth", also "true, actual, real"), from Proto-Germanic *sanþaz ("truth; true"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁sónts, *es-ont- ("being, existence, real, true"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁es-, *es- ("to be"). Akin to Old Saxon sōþ ("true"), Old High German sand ("true"), Old Norse sannr ("true"), Gothic 𐍃𐌿𐌽𐌾𐌰 (sunja, "truth"), Old English sēon ("to be"), Old English synn ("sin, guilt"; literally, "being the one guilty"). More at sin.

Full definition of sooth

Noun

1. (archaic) Truth.
• William Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene 1)In sooth, I know not why I am so sad.
• LongfellowIn good sooth,
  Its mystery is love, its meaning youth.
2. (obsolete) augury; prognostication
• SpenserThe sooth of birds, by beating of their wings.
3. (obsolete) blandishment; cajolery
4. (obsolete) reality; fact

Derived terms

• soothsayer
• soothsaying
• soothfast
• forsooth

Adjective

1. (archaic) True.
• SpenserThat shall I sooth (said he) to you declare.
2. (obsolete) Pleasing; delightful; sweet.
• Miltonthe soothest shepherd that ever piped on plains
• Keatswith jellies soother than the creamy curd

Anagrams

• hoots
• shoot
• Sotho
• toosh