placate

[ pley-keyt, plak-eyt ]

/ ˈpleɪ keɪt, ˈplæk eɪt /

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verb (used with object), pla·cat·ed, pla·cat·ing.

to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures: to placate an outraged citizenry.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

plaas, placable, placage, placard, placas, placate, placation, placative, placatory, place, place card

Origin of placate

1670–80; < Latin plācātus past participle of plācāre to quiet, calm, appease, akin to placēre to please; see -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR placate

conciliate, satisfy.

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Related formspla·cat·er, nounpla·ca·tion

[pley-key-shuhn] /pleɪˈkeɪ ʃən/, nounun·pla·cat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for placation

This was no religious rite, no placation of the brutish jungle gods.
Jerry of the Islands|Jack London
"I know what you mean, Lou," he said, with an affectionate attempt at placation.
The Market-Place|Harold Frederic
For the placation of Bildad Rose there was news of a stable, not ruined beyond service, with hay in a loft, near the house.
Heart of the West|O. Henry
There is not a word of proof of the view that the placation of the deity was due to his assimilation of kindred flesh and blood.
Introduction to the History of Religions|Crawford Howell Toy

In Smith's theory there is confusion between the two ideas of communion and expiation or placation.
Introduction to the History of Religions|Crawford Howell Toy

British Dictionary definitions for placation

placate

/ (pləˈkeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to pacify or appease

Derived Formsplacation, noun

Word Origin for placate

C17: from Latin plācāre; see placable

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for placation (1 of 2)

placation

1580s, from French placation (16c.), from Latin placationem (nominative placatio) "an appeasing, pacifying, quieting," noun of action from past participle stem of placare (see placate).

Word Origin and History for placation (1 of 2)

placate

1670s, a back-formation from placation or else from Latin placatus "soothed, quiet, gentle, calm, peaceful," past participle of placare "to calm, appease, quiet, soothe, assuage," related to placere "to please" (see please). Related: Placated; placating; placatingly.