assuage (2009-06-24)

Part of Speech: verb

Pronunciation: [ê-'sweyj]

Definition: To reduce something unpleasant.

Usage: Here is an attention-grabbing threat: "If you don't do this for me, I will cause you unassuageable grief!" Or express your disappointment thus: "I'm afraid that trimming the lawn for me won't assuage the disappointment of getting only a push-mower for Christmas."

Suggested Usage: One can assuage things like hunger, thirst, grief, pain, and mortification. The noun is "assuagement."

Etymology: Old French assouagier "assuage," from Vulgar Latin assuaviare, comprising Latin ad "to, toward" + suavis "sweet, delightful." The PIE root *swad- also underlies English "sweet." English also borrowed the Latin stem "suavis" as "suave." (For more on "PIE" read "Words: where do the come from?" in the YDC library.)