Word of the Day : January 11, 2018

placate \PLAY-kayt\ verb

Definition

: to soothe or mollify especially by concessions : appease

Did You Know?

The earliest documented uses of the verb placate in English date from the late 17th century. The word is derived from Latin placatus, the past participle of placare, and placate still carries the basic meaning of its Latin ancestor: "to soothe" or "to appease." Other placare descendants in English are implacable (meaning "not easily soothed or satisfied") and placation ("the act of soothing or appeasing"). Even please itself, derived from Latin placēre ("to please"), is a distant relative of placate.

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Aired January 11, 2018

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