\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.
(i) To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the
    opposite; as, to soften the voice.

\Sof"ten\, v. i.
To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or
obdurate.