How Do You Spell ALLAYMENT?

Pronunciation: [ɐlˈe͡ɪmənt] (IPA)

The word "allayment," pronounced /əˈleɪmənt/, is spelled with two Ls and a Y because it comes from the Old French word "alegier," which means "to lighten or alleviate." The Y used to represent the "ee" sound in Middle English, which is why it is still used today in words like "convey" and "survey." The double L is needed to indicate the stress on the second syllable (/leɪ/), which is common in many French loanwords. Allayment means relief or soothing and is often used in the context of easing pain or distress.

ALLAYMENT Meaning and Definition

  1. Allayment is a noun that refers to the act of soothing, relieving, or reducing something, especially pain, distress, or anxiety. It is derived from the Middle English word "alleiement" and is primarily used in formal or literary contexts.

    The term allayment often implies the use of an external action or remedy in order to alleviate or mitigate a specific condition. For example, it can describe the act of administering a tranquilizer to allay an individual's anxiety or fear. Similarly, it can refer to the application of a cold compress to allay swelling or discomfort after an injury.

    In addition to physical or emotional alleviation, allayment can be used to describe the alleviation of fears, doubts, or suspicions. It suggests the process of easing or resolving a troubling situation, often by providing reassurance or clarification. For instance, a leader's speech or actions may be aimed at allaying public concerns or quelling unrest.

    Allayment is closely related to the concept of relief, but it is distinct in that it implies a more deliberate, deliberate effort to soothe or reduce a particular problem. It conveys a sense of intentional intervention or amelioration, rather than a mere sense of spontaneous or incidental relief.

    Overall, the term allayment encompasses the act of mitigating discomfort, distress, or unease through targeted actions or remedies, with the intention of providing soothing or relief.

  2. State of rest after disturbance.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ALLAYMENT

  • zllayment
  • sllayment
  • wllayment
  • qllayment
  • aklayment
  • aplayment
  • aolayment
  • alkayment
  • alpayment
  • aloayment
  • allzyment
  • allsyment
  • allwyment
  • allqyment
  • allatment
  • allagment
  • allahment
  • allaument
  • alla7ment

Etymology of ALLAYMENT

The word "allayment" is derived from the Old French term "alaier" which means "to mitigate" or "to calm down". It entered the English language in the 14th century. The Old French word itself is derived from the Latin term "alleviare", which has a similar meaning of "to lighten" or "to alleviate". The Latin term is a compound of "ad-" (meaning "to") and "leviare" (meaning "to lighten" or "to relieve"). Overall, the etymology of "allayment" traces back to Latin and Old French roots, ultimately describing the act of reducing or soothing something.