Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The removal of antimony and other impurities from lead. See
improving , 2. - noun The act of making soft or softer.
- noun In painting, the blending of colors into each other.
- noun In pathology, a diminution of the natural and healthy firmness of organs or parts of organs; mollities.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- a. & n. from
soften , v. - (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 , andwhite ,softening .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb Present participle of
soften .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the process of becoming softer
- adjective having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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For a moment he looked at Tessa, the rage in his expression softening into a sneer.
Clockwork Angel Cassandra Clare 2010
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He kept grinning at me, the expression softening his rough features into something more pleasant—and enticing.
Venom Jennifer Estep 2010
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He kept grinning at me, the expression softening his rough features into something more pleasant—and enticing.
Venom Jennifer Estep 2010
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Watch yourself in town, Delilah, he told me, his expression softening as he patted my arm farewell.
Silver Zombie Carole Nelson Douglas 2010
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He kept grinning at me, the expression softening his rough features into something more pleasant—and enticing.
Venom Jennifer Estep 2010
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“Well, sir,” Holland acknowledged, his expression softening slightly, “I know a fair bit about gunpowder, as it happens, so these references are all familiar to me.”
The Blackstone Key Rose Melikan 2008
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“Well, sir,” Holland acknowledged, his expression softening slightly, “I know a fair bit about gunpowder, as it happens, so these references are all familiar to me.”
The Blackstone Key Rose Melikan 2008
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“Well, sir,” Holland acknowledged, his expression softening slightly, “I know a fair bit about gunpowder, as it happens, so these references are all familiar to me.”
The Blackstone Key Rose Melikan 2008
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He turned to her, his expression softening marginally.
The Highlander’s Stolen Bride Melanie George 2006
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He turned to her, his expression softening marginally.
The Highlander’s Stolen Bride Melanie George 2006
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