The process of becoming soft or softer, or making something less harsh, severe, or intense.
From 'soften' (to make soft) plus '-ing' (continuous action). Comes from Old English 'softe,' which may be related to words meaning 'suitable' or 'gentle,' evolving to mean 'physically yielding.'
Language uses 'softening' metaphorically so often—softening a blow, softening criticism, softening your stance—that we've made the physical quality of 'soft' do emotional and conceptual work, showing how our bodies teach us to understand abstract ideas.
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