soften
['sɒftn]
vt. (使)柔软, (使)柔

vi. (使)柔软, (使)柔

[] 减



soften
[ verb ]

1. make (images or sounds) soft or softer

<verb.perception>

2. lessen in force or effect

<verb.change> break damp dampen weaken
soften a shock
break a fall

3. give in, as to influence or pressure

<verb.stative> relent yield

4. protect from impact

<verb.contact> buffer cushion
cushion the blow

5. make less severe or harsh

<verb.communication> mince moderate
He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears

6. make soft or softer

<verb.change>
This liquid will soften your laundry

7. become soft or softer

<verb.change>
The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it

Soften \Sof"ten\, v. i.
To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or
obdurate.


Soften \Sof"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Softened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Softening}.]
To make soft or more soft. Specifically:
(a) To render less hard; -- said of matter.

Their arrow's point they soften in the flame.
--Gay.
(b) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable.

Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the
severe. --Rambler.
(c) To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften
a fault.
(d) To compose; to mitigate; to assuage.

Music can soften pain to ease. --Pope.
(e) To make calm and placid.

All that cheers or softens life. --Pope.
(f) To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less
violent, or to render of an opposite quality.

He bore his great commision in his look,
But tempered awe, and softened all he spoke.
--Dryden.
(g) To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the
coloring of a picture.
(h) To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as,
troops softened by luxury.
(i) To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the
opposite; as, to soften the voice.