adoucir

to soften

verb ah-doo-SEER Rare

Origin: from 'a-' + 'doux' (soft/sweet), from Latin 'dulcis'

Also means

to soothe

Usage Note

Adoucir can be used literally (softening a texture or flavour) and figuratively (softening a tone, a punishment, or a climate). S'adoucir means to mellow or become milder, often used of the weather in spring or of a person's manner. The noun adoucissant means fabric softener.

Examples

"Cette crème adoucit la peau sèche."

Natural Translation

This cream softens dry skin.

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