Word of the Day for Friday, January 27, 2012
conciliate \kuhn-SIL-ee-eyt\, verb:
1. To overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate; win over.
2. To win or gain (goodwill, regard, or favor).
3. To make compatible; reconcile.
4.
To become agreeable or reconciled.
"Mrs. Dombey," said Mr. Dombey, resuming as much as he could of his arrogant composure, "you will not conciliate me, or turn me from any purpose, by this course of conduct."
-- Charles Dickens, "Dombey and Son"
But this was sufficient, and served to conciliate the good will of the natives, with whom our congeniality of sentiment on this point did more towards inspiring a friendly feeling than anything else that could have happened.
-- Herman Melville, "Typee"
Conciliate comes from the Latin word conciliāre meaning "to bring together." It is related to the words council and calendar.
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