The superlative form of soft; the most soft, gentle, or delicate.
From Old English 'softe' meaning gentle or easy. The '-est' suffix makes it superlative (the most soft). Related to words meaning to soothe or comfort.
We say the softest things are the most delicate—but paradoxically, soft things like water and cotton have shaped history more than hard things, cutting canyons and clothing civilizations.
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