† aˈddulce, v. Obs.
Forms: 5 adoulce, 6 addoulce, 7 addoulse, adulce, addulce.
[orig. a. MFr. adoulcir, also written addoulcir; (mod. adoucir) to sweeten:—late L. addulcīre; f. ad to + dulcis sweet. Subseq. refashioned after L.]
To sweeten, to render pleasant or palatable (a thing); to soothe, mollify (a person).
| 1475 Caxton Jason 20 b, Shalle not the Rigour..of my noble lady be myned and adoulced by my habondant prayers? 1552 Huloet Abcedarium, Addoulce or mitigate with swetnes, Permulceo. c 1592 G. Harvey Sonnets xv. 69 Then would I so my melody addoulce. 1617 Minsheu Ductor, To Addoulse, or mitigate with sweetenesse, Fr. addoulcir, addoucir; It. addolcire. 1622 Bacon Henry VII, 90 With great show of their king's affection, and many sugared words, seek to addulce all matters between the two kings. 1655 Digges Compl. Ambass. 263 The answer you see..is addulced so much as may. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. 203 The Queen having lately Adulced him with fair language. 1679 M. Prance Add. Narrat. 18 For the addulcing and ascertaining his Friends and Partizans beyond the Seas. 1696 Phillips, Addoulce (French) to sweeten, mollifie, or asswage. [Not in ed. 1706.] |