Pronunciation: [ɐswˈe͡ɪd͡ʒ] (IPA) 
The word "assuage" (/əˈsweɪdʒ/) is often misspelled due to its unique sound and spelling. The phonetic transcription of the word is "uh-sweyj," with the emphasis on the second syllable. The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced like the "a" in "cat," while the "u" in the second syllable is pronounced like the "u" in "mud." The "g" at the end is silent, meaning that the word is spelled differently from how it is pronounced.
Assuage is a transitive verb that means to make something less intense, severe, or burdensome. When used figuratively, it refers to the act of alleviating or soothing feelings, emotions, or distress. The term originates from the Latin word "assuaviare," which means "to calm" or "to ease," and it first entered the English language in the 14th century.
To assuage a situation or problem is to lessen its impact or make it more manageable. This can be achieved by providing comfort, consolation, or relief. Assuaging can involve reducing the severity or intensity of pain, worry, guilt, or fear, and can also involve satisfying or fulfilling a need or desire. Sometimes, assuaging can simply mean offering reassurance or support to someone going through a difficult time.
Assuaging can also be applied to physical sensations, such as calming a headache or soothing an itch. In such cases, it often involves using methods or products that mitigate discomfort or restore a sense of ease.
Furthermore, assuaging is not about eradicating or eliminating the root cause, but rather about providing temporary relief or comfort. It implies a temporary reduction in intensity or severity, rather than a complete resolution or cure.
Overall, assuage describes the act of lessening the impact or intensity of something, whether it be physical or emotional, and aims to provide temporary relief or calmness.
To soften; to mitigate; to allay; to abate or subside.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "assuage" comes from the Old French verb "assa(u)gier", which means "to soften, mitigate, soothe". This in turn evolved from the Vulgar Latin term "assuaviare", derived from the Latin word "ad-", meaning "to" or "towards", and "suavis", meaning "sweet" or "pleasant". Therefore, the etymology of "assuage" suggests a sense of making something less severe or intense, similar to sweetening or soothing a situation or feeling.
