What does pacify mean?

Pronunciation

/ˈpæsəfaɪ/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun/Verb

Definition

A tranquilizing or calming effect; a state of peacefulness; to make someone or something less agitated or anxious.

Etymology

Pacify originated from the Latin word “pacificare,” meaning “to make peaceful.” It has been used in English since the 14th century.

Usage Notes

Pacify can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a state of peace or tranquility. As a verb, it means to calm or soothe someone or something.

Cultural References

Pacify has been referenced in various forms of media, including literature, music, and film. For example, the term was used in a popular song by the band Radiohead in the early 2000s.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Made pacify by something: made calm or tranquil by something
• Pacify the savage breast: to calm or soothe one’s emotions

Related Words or Phrases

• Serenity
• Tranquility
• Peace

Collocations

• Pacify the mind
• Pacify the body
• Pacify the soul

Frequency of Use

According to the Oxford English Corpus, pacify is used approximately 1.5 times per 100 million words in modern English.

Common Misspellings

• Pacifiy
• Pasify