the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
v. To assuage; to soften; to mitigate; to alleviate.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
To assuage; soften; mitigate.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
v. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
Word Usage
"As in the sacrifice of jealousy, God would have no oil or frankincense put into it, so, in hell, there is no oil of mercy to lenify the sufferings of the damned, no incense of prayer to appease his wrath."