placatingly
|pla-ca-ting-ly|
/pləˈkeɪt/
(placate)
soothing
Etymology
'placate' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'placare', where the root 'plac-' meant 'to please' or 'to calm'.
'placate' entered English from Late Latin 'placatus' (past participle of 'placare') and through usage in Early Modern English developed into the modern verb 'placate' and its derivatives such as 'placating' and 'placatingly'.
Initially it meant 'to please or make calm', and over time it evolved into the current sense 'to appease or pacify (often by concessions)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner intended to placate or soothe someone; attempting to calm or appease.
She smiled placatingly and promised to look into the problem.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/20 05:10