Placate
/ˈpleɪ.keɪt/noun
To calm someone down or appease their anger.
Did you know?The origin of 'placate' reveals a connection to ancient sacrifice rituals, where appeasement was crucial to avoid divine wrath.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*plak-
“to be flat or smooth, suggesting calmness.”
Latin
Latin
placare
“to calm or soothe, often in reference to appeasing deities.”
Old French
Old French
placater
“to calm or pacify, especially in a social context.”
Middle English
Middle English
placaten
“to soothe or appease, particularly in disputes.”
Modern English
English
placate
“to calm or pacify someone, often by making concessions.”