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Avert vs Allay - What's the difference?

avert | allay |

In lang=en terms the difference between avert and allay

is that avert is to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of while allay is to alleviate; to abate; to mitigate.

In archaic|lang=en terms the difference between avert and allay

is that avert is (archaic) to turn away while allay is (archaic) to mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate.

As verbs the difference between avert and allay

is that avert is to turn aside or away while allay is to make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm.

As a noun allay is

alleviation; abatement; check.

avert

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To turn aside or away.
  • To avert the eyes from an object.
  • To ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of.
  • How can the danger be averted ?
  • * Milton
  • To avert his ire.
  • * Prior
  • Till ardent prayer averts the public woe.
  • (archaic) To turn away.
  • * Thomson
  • Cold and averting from our neighbour's good.
  • (archaic) To turn away.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church.

    Derived terms

    * averter * avertress

    Synonyms

    * (to prevent) * See also

    References

    * " avert" at OneLook® Dictionary Search .

    Anagrams

    * ----

    allay

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm.
  • to allay popular excitement
    to allay the tumult of the passions
  • To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate.
  • to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity
  • (obsolete) To subside, abate, become peaceful.
  • * 1526 , William Tyndale, trans. Bible , Mark IV:
  • And the wynde alayed , and there folowed a greate calme: and he sayde unto them: why are ye fearfull?
  • * Shakespeare
  • When the rage allays .
  • (archaic) To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate.
  • (Fuller)

    Quotations

    He had to pretend to be drunk in order to allay the suspicions which might have been aroused by his appearance at the gate.
    —Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in A Study in Scarlet

    Synonyms

    * alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate; subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet

    Noun

  • alleviation; abatement; check
  • References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----