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)