appease
UK[əˈpiːz]US[əˈpiːz]
v
to make somebody calmer or less angry by agreeing to what they want
v
to make a situation more peaceful or stable, often by giving in to demands
Morpheme Breakdown
ap
pease
ap
to, towards
pease
peace
Etymology
the word 'appease' entered english in the 14th century from the old french 'apaisier', which itself was formed from the phrase 'a pais' meaning 'to peace'. the latin root is 'pax, pac-', meaning peace, which traces back to the proto-indo-european root pag-/pak- meaning 'to fasten, to make firm', a concept that evolved to signify a binding agreement or treaty, hence peace. the literal construction of 'appease' is thus 'to bring to peace', a logic that persists in its modern meaning of pacifying someone or a situation, often by concession.
Analysis
Structure: ap + pease
ap- (latin, variant of ad- meaning 'to, towards'); pease (old french, from latin 'pax, pac-' meaning 'peace')
Examples
the government tried to appease the protesters by promising reforms.
he brought her flowers to appease her after their argument.
feeding the crying baby finally appeased its hunger and it fell asleep.