Softa to Solar
Softa
(Sof"ta) n. [Corruption of Per. skhtah one who burns, is ardent or zealous.] Any one attached
to a Mohammedan mosque, esp. a student of the higher branches of theology in a mosque school.
[Written also sophta.]
Soften
(Sof"ten) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Softened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Softening.] To make soft or more
soft. Specifically: —
(a) To render less hard; — said of matter.
Their arrow's point they soften in the flame.
Gay. (b) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable.
Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the severe.
Rambler. (c) To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault.
(d) To compose; to mitigate; to assuage.
Music can soften pain to ease.
Pope. (e) To make calm and placid.
All that cheers or softens life.
Pope. (f) To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality.
He bore his great commision in his look,
But tempered awe, and softened all he spoke.
Dryden. (g) To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture.
(h) To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as, troops softened by luxury.
(i) To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the opposite; as, to soften the voice.
Soften
(Sof"ten), v. i. To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or obdurate.
Softener
(Sof"ten*er) n. One who, or that which, softens. [Written also, less properly, softner.]
Softening
(Sof"ten*ing), a. & n. from Soften, v.
Softening of the brain, or Cerebral softening (Med.), a localized softening of the brain substance,
due to hemorrhage or inflammation. Three varieties, distinguished by their color and representing different
stages of the morbid process, are known respectively as red, yellow, and white, softening.
Soft-finned
(Soft"-finned`) a. (Zoöl.) Having the fin rays cartilaginous or flexible; without spines; — said of
certain fishes.
Soft-headed
(Soft"-head`ed) a. Weak in intellect.
Soft-hearted
(Soft"-heart`ed) a. Having softness or tenderness of heart; susceptible of pity or other kindly
affection; gentle; meek. — Soft"-heart`ed*ness, n.
Softish
(Soft"ish) a. Somewhat soft. De Witt Clinton.
Softling
(Soft"ling) n. A soft, effeminate person; a voluptuary. [R.] Bp. Woolton. .
