Soften

(sŏf’n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SOFTENED; p. pr. & vb. n. SOFTENING.] To make soft or more soft; as, (a.) To render less hard, as matter. “Their arrow’s point they soften in the flame.” Gay. (b.) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable; as, to soften a hard heart. “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. “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 violent, or to render of an opposite quality. “Tempered awe, and softened all he spoke.” Dryden. (g.) To make less glaring; 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.

(sŏf’n), v. i. To become soft; as, (a.) To become more pliable and yielding to pressure; as, iron or wax softens in heat; fruits soften as they ripen. (b.) To become less rude, harsh, or cruel; as, savage natures soften by civilization. (c.) To become less obstinate or obdurate; to become more susceptible of humane feelings and tenderness; to relent; as, the heart softens at the sight of woe. (d.) To become more mild; as, the air softens. (e.) To become less harsh, severe, or rigorous.