pacify

To pacify is defined as to soothe or calm, or to create peace where there was war or fighting.

(verb)

  1. An example of to pacify is to give a crying baby a bottle.
  2. An example of to pacify is tosign a treaty to end a war.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See pacify in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb pacified, pacifying

  1. to make peaceful or calm; appease; tranquilize
    1. to establish or secure peace in (a nation, etc.)
    2. ☆ to seek to neutralize or win over (people in occupied areas)

Origin: ME pacifien < OFr pacefier < L pacificare < pax (gen. pacis), peace + facere, to make, do

Related Forms:

See pacify in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb pac·i·fied, pac·i·fy·ing, pac·i·fies
  1. To ease the anger or agitation of.
  2. To end war, fighting, or violence in; establish peace in.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pacifien

Origin: , from Old French pacifier

Origin: , from Latin pācificāre

Origin: : pāx, pāc-, peace; see pag- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + -ficāre, -fy

.

Related Forms:

  • pacˌi·fiˈa·ble adjective

Learn more about pacify

link/cite print suggestion box