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al·lay

(ə-lā)

tr.v. al·layed, al·lay·ing, al·lays

1. To calm or pacify (an emotion); set to rest: allayed the fears of the worried citizens.

2. To reduce the intensity of; lessen or relieve: allay the threat of social unrest; allay skin irritation. See Synonyms at relieve.

[Middle English aleien, from Old English ālecgan, to lay aside, lay down : ā-, intensive pref. + lecgan, to lay; see LAY¹.]

al·layer n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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