Soothings

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A process of providing comfort or relief, often through gentle actions or words
2. Methods that aim to calm or soothe someone during distressing situations
3. The act of alleviating discomfort or anxiety through tender gestures or supportive dialogue

Etymology: "Soothings" is simply the plural of "soothing," the form of the verb "soothe" used as a noun for acts of comfort. "Soothing" is the present participle and gerund of "soothe," and the plural form here names separate instances of that comforting, such as several gentle gestures or repeated kind words given to someone who is upset. The root verb "soothe" goes back to Old English "sōthian," meaning to prove true or to assent, closely related to "sōth," "true." Over time its sense moved from confirming something as true, to agreeing with someone and flattering them, and finally to calming and comforting a person.

Synonyms: calmings, comfortings, relaxations, pacifications, easings

Antonyms: agitations, disturbances, irritations, upsets, anxieties