Definition of "allay"

They were forced to try to allay discontent by palliative measures.

1888, William Morris, Signs of Change […] ‎, London: Reeves and Turner, page 104

He had to pretend to be drunk in order to allay the suspicions which might have been aroused by his appearance at the gate.

1891, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet. A Detective Story, 3rd edition, London, New York, N.Y.: Ward, Lock, Bowden, and Co., […], published 1892

Kissinger was obviously doing his best to allay our government's growing apprehension in connection with Nixon's forthcoming trip to Peking.

1983, James C. H. Shen, “Dropping the First Shoe”, in Robert Myers, editor, The U.S. & Free China: How the U.S. Sold Out Its Ally‎, Washington, D.C.: Acropolis Books Ltd., page 84

The trade show’s organisers had attempted to allay concerns by announcing more stringent health and safety measures including a ban on handshakes, and taking attendees’ temperatures.

2020 February 12, Mark Sweney, “Mobile World Congress axed after firms quit over coronavirus fears”, in The Guardian‎

And the wynde alayed, and there folowed a greate calme: and he sayde unto them: why are ye fearfull?

1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], Mark iiij]

For raging wind blows up incessant showers,And when the rage allays the rain begins.

c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene iv]

Yet far be it from us to condemn all their works to be dross, because debased and allayed with superstitious intents […]

1639, Thomas Fuller, The Historie of the Holy Warr