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Soften vs Quench - What's the difference?

soften | quench | Related terms |

Soften is a related term of quench.


In lang=en terms the difference between soften and quench

is that soften is to become soft or softer while quench is to cool rapidly by dipping into a bath of coolant, as a blacksmith quenching hot iron.

As verbs the difference between soften and quench

is that soften is to make something soft or softer while quench is to satisfy, especially an actual or figurative thirst.

As a noun quench is

(physics) the abnormal termination of operation of a superconducting magnet, occurring when part of the superconducting coil enters the normal (resistive) state.

soften

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make something soft or softer.
  • Soften the butter before beating in the sugar.
  • To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up ).
  • Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery.
  • To make less harsh
  • Having second thoughts, I softened my criticism.
  • * '>citation
  • To become soft or softer
  • The butter softened as it warmed up.

    quench

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To satisfy, especially an actual or figurative thirst.
  • The library quenched her thirst for knowledge.
  • * 1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4
  • I began also to feel very hungry, as not having eaten for twenty-four hours; and worse than that, there was a parching thirst and dryness in my throat, and nothing with which to quench it.
  • To extinguish or put out (as a fire or light.)
  • Then the MacManus went down. The sudden quench of the white light was how I knew it. -- Saul Bellow
  • To cool rapidly by dipping into a bath of coolant, as a blacksmith quenching hot iron.
  • The swordsmith quenched the sword in an oil bath so that it wouldn't shatter.

    Noun

    (es)
  • (physics) The abnormal termination of operation of a superconducting magnet, occurring when part of the superconducting coil enters the normal (resistive) state.