2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Soften  \Sof"ten\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Softened};  p.  pr  &  vb 
  n.  {Softening}.] 
  To  make  soft  or  more  soft.  Specifically: 
  a  To  render  less  hard;  --  said  of  matter. 
 
  Their  arrow's  point  they  soften  in  the  flame. 
  --Gay. 
  b  To  mollify;  to  make  less  fierce  or  intractable. 
 
  Diffidence  conciliates  the  proud,  and  softens  the 
  severe.  --Rambler. 
  c  To  palliate;  to  represent  as  less  enormous;  as  to  soften 
  a  fault. 
  d  To  compose;  to  mitigate;  to  assuage. 
 
  Music  can  soften  pain  to  ease.  --Pope. 
  e  To  make  calm  and  placid. 
 
  All  that  cheers  or  softens  life.  --Pope. 
  f  To  make  less  harsh,  less  rude,  less  offensive,  or  less 
  violent,  or  to  render  of  an  opposite  quality. 
 
  He  bore  his  great  commision  in  his  look  But 
  tempered  awe,  and  softened  all  he  spoke.  --Dryden. 
  g  To  make  less  glaring;  to  tone  down  as  to  soften  the 
  coloring  of  a  picture. 
  h  To  make  tender;  to  make  effeminate;  to  enervate;  as 
  troops  softened  by  luxury. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  softened 
  adj  1:  toned  down 
  2:  being  or  made  softer  or  less  loud  or  clear;  "the  dull  boom 
  of  distant  breaking  waves";  "muffled  drums";  "the  muffled 
  noises  of  the  street";  "muted  trumpets"  [syn:  {dull},  {muffled}, 
  {muted}] 
  3:  (of  light)  not  bright  or  glaring;  "a  softer  diffused 
  radiance"  [syn:  {diffused}] 

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