[f. as prec.]

1

  1.  One who or that which softens, in various senses; a mollifier. Also with down.

2

1608.  Hieron, Wks., I. 722/1. Whose blood is … the principall softner of the heart.

3

1611.  Cotgr., Mollifieur, a mollifier, softener.

4

1668.  Charleton & P. M., Ephes. & Cimm. Matrons, 72. You are … the obstacles to honour; the softners of courage.

5

1743.  Francis, trans. Horace, Odes, I. xxxii. 20. I. 149.

          Hear thy Poet’s solemn Prayer,
Thou Softner of each anxious Care.

6

1839.  Dickens, Nickleby, viii. One of the best softeners of a hard bed.

7

1894.  H. Nisbet, Bush Girl’s Rom., 27. A true helpmate and softener-down of the rough edges.

8

  2.  spec. A painting-brush of soft hair.

9

1843.  Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., VI. 303/1. Passing a dry brush, called a ‘softener,’ lightly over it.

10

1873.  E. Spon, Workshop Rec., Ser. I. 6/2. For shading, camel or sable hair brushes, called Softeners, are generally used.

11