[f. SOOTHE v.] The action of the verb, in various senses.
a. 1400. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., xlix. 185. For ȝif þou woldest hit putte to soþing Þat he seyde ouur niȝt vppon þe morwening.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 11495. Thus sotelly with sothyn he set hom a cas, What fortune might falle.
a. 1592. Greene, Jas. IV., 1131. Whilst cloking craft with soothing climbes so high.
1607. Hieron, Wks., I. 430. Secret soothing and flattering of the heart.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxx. 184. The soothing of the people in their unreasonable, or irremediable grievances.
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., I. i. Away, Deceiver; I will not hear thy Soothing.
1813. Scott, Rokeby, IV. x. ’Twas long ere soothing might prevail Upon the child to end the tale.
1847. Helps, Friends in C., I. iii. 40. This [worldly trouble] appears … unworthy of having any remedy, or soothing, thought out for it.
b. pl. (In first quot. = soothsayings.)
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 78. Gods, quod he, this messadge turne you to a prosperus omen. Cancel theese menacing soothings, thee godlye reseruing.
1601. Dent, Pathw. Heaven, 372. Whether it bee more meet that I should beleeue the Scriptures, or your soothings iudge you.
1745. W. Thompson, Sickness, V. 135. Ideal sounds Soft-wafted on the Zephyr’s fancy’d wing, Steal tuneful soothings on the easy ear.
1797. Mrs. Radcliffe, Italian, III. iv. 115. If the soothings of sympathy and the delicate arts of benevolence could have restored the serenity of her mind.
