Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SOFT-EN, v.t. [sof'n.]

1. To make soft or more soft; to make less hard. Their arrow's point they soften in the flame. – Gay.
2. To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable; to make more susceptible of humane or fine feelings; as, to soften a hard heart; to soften savage natures. The heart is softened by pity. Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the severe. – Rambler.
3. To make less harsh or severe; as, to soften an expression.
4. To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault.
5. To make easy; to compose; to mitigate; to alleviate. Music can soften pain to ease. – Pope.
6. To make calm and placid. Bid her be all that cheers or softens life. – Pope.
7. To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive or violent. But sweetly temper'd awe, and soften'd all he spoke. – Dryden.
8. To make less glaring; as, to soften the coloring of a picture.
9. To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; troops softened by luxury.
10. To make less harsh or grating; as, to soften the voice.