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Definition of allay verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

allay

verb
 
/əˈleɪ/
 
/əˈleɪ/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they allay
 
/əˈleɪ/
 
/əˈleɪ/
he / she / it allays
 
/əˈleɪz/
 
/əˈleɪz/
past simple allayed
 
/əˈleɪd/
 
/əˈleɪd/
past participle allayed
 
/əˈleɪd/
 
/əˈleɪd/
-ing form allaying
 
/əˈleɪɪŋ/
 
/əˈleɪɪŋ/
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  1. allay something to make something, especially a feeling, less strong
    • to allay fears/concern/suspicion
    Extra Examples
    • The government is keen to allay the public's fears.
    • The inquiry has done little to allay suspicion.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryAllay is used with these nouns as the object:
    • anxiety
    • concern
    • fear
    See full entry
    Word OriginOld English ālecgan ‘lay down or aside’.
See allay in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
generic
adjective
 
 
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