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To soften and make of even thickness by rubbing, as with pumice stone or a blunt instrument. Frizzing machine. (a) (Fabrics) A machine for frizzing the surface of cloth. (b) (Wood Working) A bench with a revolving cutter head slightly protruding above its surface, for dressing boards.

A softening of the coats of the stomach; -- usually a post- morten change.

The act of softening, breaking, or yielding. "Upon the first giving of the weather." Addison. Giving in, a falling inwards; a collapse. -- Giving out, anything uttered or asserted; an outgiving. His givings out were of an infinite distance From his true meant design. Shak.

or true, muscular stomach of birds, in which the food is crushed and ground, after being softened in the glandular stomach (crop), or lower part of the esophagus; the gigerium.

inner pot holding the glue, immersed in an outer one containing water which is heated to soften the glue.

To take the hair off (skins); to soften and raise the grain of (leather, etc.).

A process in dressing leather, by which the skin is softened and the grain raised.

A contrivance for multiple copying, by means of a surface of gelatin softened with glycerin. [Written also hectograph.]

To render human or humane; to soften; to make gentle by overcoming cruel dispositions and rude habits; to refine or civilize. Was it the business of magic to humanize our natures with compassion Addison.

Not capable of being mitigated, softened, or appeased. Coleridge.

Not softened by heat, hot water, or steam.

To make tender or sensitive; to soften.

The act or process of intenerating, or the state of being intenerated; softening. [R.] Bacon.

. See 2d Jack, n., 4 (l) & (n). -- Lamp shade, a screen, as of paper, glass, or tin, for softening or obstructing the light of a lamp. -- Lamp shell (Zoöl.), any brachiopod shell of the genus Terebratula and allied genera. The name refers to the shape, which is like that of an antique lamp. See Terebratula. -- Safet…

Relaxing; emollient; softening; assuasive; -- some "Lenient of grief." Milton. Of relax the fibers, are lenient, balsamic. Arbuthnot. Time, that on all things lays his lenient hand. Pope.

To assuage; to soften; to Bacon. Dryden.

Having the quality of softening or mitigating, as pain or acrimony; assuasive; emollient.

To smooth; to soften; to palliate. [Obs.]

A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of expression; as, " a citizen of no mean city," that is, of an illustrious city.

To soften by steeping in a liquid, with or without heat; to wear away or separate the parts of by steeping; as, to macerate animal or vegetable fiber.