placate

¹

Also placcate,

[plak-eyt, -it]

noun

Armor.

1. a piece of plate armor of the 15th to the 18th century protecting the lower part of the torso in front: used especially as a reinforcement over a breastplate.

placate

²

[pley-keyt, plak-eyt]

verb (used with object)

placated, placating 

1. to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures.

   to placate an outraged citizenry.

   Synonyms: satisfy, conciliate

placate

/ pləˈkeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to pacify or appease

Other Word Forms

• placater noun
• placation noun
• unplacated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

First recorded in 1625–35; apparently variant of placard

Origin of placate²

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin plācātus, past participle of plācāre “to quiet, calm, appease,” akin to placēre “to please”; please

Word History and Origins

Origin of placate¹

C17: from Latin plācāre; see _placable

Example Sentences

Musk’s latest comments are unlikely to placate regulators.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the need to placate its investors has grown since Warren Buffett sold down his stake in the bank over the past year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There is more charm than conflict in these sketches, and the earliest glimpses of Scout, Atticus and other charismatic residents of Maycomb County may help to placate a disillusioned fan base.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On the other hand, you also run the risk of having your life cut short by violent means if you don’t at least try to placate both parties.

Read more on Salon

It fell to her to placate guests who had been shouted at, totally ignored or, in some cases, throttled by Basil when in one of his more manic moods.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• appease 
• assuage 
• mollify 
• pacify 
• reconcile 
• satisfy 
• soothe