ALLAY

ALLA'Y, verb transitive [Gr.; Latin ligo, to bind; but this may be the same word differently applied, that is, to set, to fix, to make fast, to unite. allay and alloy were formerly used indifferently; but I have recognized an entire distinction between them, applying alloy to metals.]1. To make quiet; to pacify, or appease; as, to allay the tumult of the passions, or to allay civil commotions.2. To abate, mitigate, subdue or destroy; as, to allay grief or pain.Females, who soften and allay the bitterness of adversity.3. To obtund or repress as acrimony; as, to allay the acrid qualities of a substance.4. Formerly, to reduce the purity of; as, to allay metals. But, in this sense, alloy is now exclusively used. [See Alloy.]ALLA'Y, noun 1. Formerly, a baser metal mixed with a finer; but in this sense it is now written alloy, which see.2. That which allays, or abates the predominant qualities; as, the allay of colors.Also, abatement; diminution by means of some mixture; as, joy without allay But alloy is now more generally used.

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allay. Allay, v.t. to abate, pacify, quiet

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Al‐lay″ (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allayed (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Allaying.] [[OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. ālecgan; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See Lay.]] 1. 1. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay the tumult of the passions.
2. 2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity.
It would allay the burning quality of that fell poison. Shak. Syn. — To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate; subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See Alleviate.