Definition of appease

The word "appease" has its origins in the 14th century from the Old French word "apaiser," which is derived from the Latin "pacare," meaning "to pacify" or "to make peaceful." In its earliest sense, the word referred to the act of calming or soothing, often in a violent or turbulent situation. Over time, the meaning shifted to encompass the idea of pacifying or placating someone's anger or upset, often through concessions or compromise. This sense of the word gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly in the context of international diplomacy, as nations sought to "appease" aggressive powers through concessions, such as the appeasement of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Today, the word "appease" is often associated with the idea of giving in to demands or settling for less in order to avoid conflict or hostility.