Main Entry:

as·suage

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈswāj also -ˈswāzh or -ˈswäzh\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

as·suaged; as·suag·ing

Etymology:

Middle English aswagen, from Anglo-French asuager, from Vulgar Latin *assuaviare, from Latin ad- + suavis sweet — more at sweet

Date:

14th century

1 : to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses) : ease <unable to assuage their grief> 2 : pacify, quiet <vainly strove…to assuage an implacable foe — Edward Gibbon> 3 : to put an end to by satisfying : appease, quench <assuaging his thirst>

synonyms see relieve

— as·suage·ment \-mənt\ noun