Softening
['sɔfnɪŋ]
Definition
(noun.) the process of becoming softer; 'refrigeration delayed the softening of the fruit'; 'he observed the softening of iron by heat'.
Checker: Mara--From WordNet
Definition
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Soften
(-) a. & n. from Soften, v.
Typist: Robinson
Examples
- No, said Miss Jellyby, softening. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- To a softening down of your ideas of the incompatibility? Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Well, well,' said Mr. Pickwick, with a sigh, but softening into a smile at the same time. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- It belonged in the list of softening, sensuous influences peculiar to this home of Eastern luxury. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The deeper he sank into this silence, the fainter hope there was--or so Darnay thought--of his softening in any slight degree. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- It was a softening employment, and she had to brush away the unbidden tears as Mrs. Thornton was announced. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- When thoroughly dry it is grained with a toothed instrument on the flesh side and bruised on the grain or hair side for the purpose of softening the leather. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Miss Bart received this explanation without perceptible softening. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- There had been a softening of manners and a general refinement since the days of Julius C?sar. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Then to Pablo, her eyes softening, So you have come back, eh? Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- The water-wheel of the paper-mill was audible there, and seemed to have a softening influence on the bright wintry scene. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He might think my brain was softening, or something of the kind. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- To watch this schism creeping across the brave beginnings of Islam is like watching a case of softening of the brain. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Natural fibers, moreover, are difficult to spin and weave unless some softening material such as wax or resin is rubbed lightly over them. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Listen to me, Rebecca, he said, again softening his tone; England,--Europe,--is not the world. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Checked by Klaus