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allay definition

al·lay (a lā, ə-)

transitive verb allayed -·layed′, allaying -·lay′·ing

  1. to put (fears, etc.) to rest; quiet; calm
  2. to lessen, relieve, or alleviate (pain, grief, etc.)

Etymology: ME alaien, alleggen, with confusion of form and meaning of OE alecgan (< a-, down + lecgan, to lay) & OFr alegier (<LL alleviare: see alleviate)

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