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placate1

[pley-keyt, plak-eyt]
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verb (used with object), pla·cat·ed, pla·cat·ing.
  1. to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures: to placate an outraged citizenry.
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Origin of placate1

1670–80; < Latin plācātus past participle of plācāre to quiet, calm, appease, akin to placēre to please; see -ate1
Related formspla·cat·er, nounpla·ca·tion [pley-key-shuhn] /pleɪˈkeɪ ʃən/, nounun·pla·cat·ed, adjective

Synonyms

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conciliate, satisfy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

appeasementrapprochementmoderationconciliationeasingresolutionreunionpropitiationplacationalleviationabatementreconciliationsettlementsolacegrantlesseningmitigationcompromisereparationassuagement

Examples from the Web for placation

Historical Examples

  • "I know what you mean, Lou," he said, with an affectionate attempt at placation.

    The Market-Place

    Harold Frederic

  • This was no religious rite, no placation of the brutish jungle gods.

  • There was such a twang of temper in his voice that Crofts heard at once, and made a quick effort at placation.

  • In Smith's theory there is confusion between the two ideas of communion and expiation or placation.

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for placation

placate

verb
  1. (tr) to pacify or appease
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Derived Formsplacation, noun

Word Origin

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

n.

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).

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placate

v.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper