placate

Definition

To calm; to bring peace to; to influence someone who was furious to the point that they become content or at least no longer irate.

Etymology

First attested in the late 17ᵗʰ century; borrowed from Latin plācātus, perfect passive participle of plācō (“appease, placate”, literally “smooth, smoothen”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more), ultimately thought to be from Proto-Indo-European *plāk- (“smooth, flat”), from *pele- (“broad, flat, plain”). Related to Latin placeō (“appease”), Old English flōh (“flat stone, chip”). More at please.

Example Sentences

• "The gleam of the light on the paper placated his professional anger, and he wrote rapidly, the final dash of his signature curling the paper up in a triangular tear."
• "To-day a deity who should require bleeding sacrifices to placate him would be too sanguinary to be taken seriously."
• "They turned their shoulders to her most savage slashes, and with wagging tails and mincing steps strove to placate her wrath."

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