softener

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soft·en

(sô′fən, sŏf′ən)

v. soft·ened, soft·en·ing, soft·ens

v.tr.

1. To make soft or softer.

2. To undermine or reduce the strength, morale, or resistance of.

3. To make less harsh, strident, or critical: softened the last paragraph of the letter.

v.intr.

To become soft or softer.

soft′en·er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

softener

(ˈsɒfənə)

1. (Chemistry) a substance added to another substance to increase its softness, pliability, or plasticity

2. (Chemistry) a substance, such as a zeolite, for softening water

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

softener - a substance added to another to make it less hard

conditioner - a substance used in washing (clothing or hair) to make things softer

plasticiser, plasticizer - a substance added to plastics or other materials to make them more pliable

chemical, chemical substance - material produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules

water softener - a substance (such as sodium chloride) that lessens the hardness of water by replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions and so gives the water more efficient sudsing power

Translations

ammorbidente depuratore

softener

[ˈsɒfnəʳ] N (= water softener) → descalcificador m, decalcificador m; (= fabric softener) → suavizante m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

softener

[ˈsɒf^ənə^r] n

(also water softener) → adoucisseur m

(also fabric softener) → adoucissant m, assouplissant msoft focus n → flou m artistique, flou m
in soft focus → un peu flouté(e), légèrement flou(e)soft fruit n (British) → baies fplsoft furnishings npl (British) → tissus mpl d'ameublementsoft goods npl (US) → tissus mplsoft-hearted [ˌsɒftˈhɑː^rtɪd] adj → au cœur tendre

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

softener

n → Weichmacher m; (for water also) → Enthärtungsmittel nt; (= fabric softener) → Weichspüler m, → Weichspülmittel nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

softener

[ˈsɒfnəʳ] n → ammorbidente m

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Do you have fabric softener? (US)
Do you have softener? (UK) → Máte aviváž? → Har I noget skyllemiddel? → Haben Sie einen Weichspüler? → Έχετε μαλακτικό; → Onko teillä huuhteluainetta? → Vous avez de l'assouplissant ? → Imate li omekšivač? → Ha dell'ammorbidente? → 柔軟剤はありますか？ → 유연제 있어요? → Hebt u wasverzachter? → Har du tøymykner? → Czy jest tu płyn do płukania? → O senhor tem amaciante de roupas? → Har ni sköljmedel? → Yumuşatıcınız var mı? → 有柔化剂吗？

Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

References in classic literature ?

A ride of two hundred and odd miles in severe weather, is one of the best softeners of a hard bed that ingenuity can devise.

View in context

If you want to treat the water to reduce the calcium and magnesium, this can be done with an ion exchange unit: a water softener.

To soften, or not to soften: a water softener is largely a matter of personal preference. Here are some things to consider

Stool softeners may be helpful, especially with hemorrhoids or piles present, but the stool softener must be taken daily for effectiveness.

Update: constipation and diarrhea therapy

A statistical treatment of well water analysis done in the Stamford, Connecticut area shows a significant difference in total chloride concentrations in wells not treated with a water softener and wells with a softener.

Salt in well water: is a softener in the background?

Fact.MR has announced the addition of the "Tire Softener Market Forecast, Trend Analysis & Competition Tracking - Global Market Insights 2018 to 2028"report to their offering.

Tire Softener Market Regulations and Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2028

A WOMAN sparked a blaze after following a YouTube craze by pouring fabric softener balls into an aromatherapy oil burner to enhance the smell.

Fire crews in alert after oil burner blaze; woman copying youtube video sets her bathroom alight

Whirlpool used two ratchet designs, depending on whether the washer has a plain agitator or one equipped with a fabric softener dispenser.

FIX broken agitator dogs on a whirlpool washer

Gwangju-si, South Korea, June 05, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Amex Co introduced the concept of an eco-friendly water softener to the market in addition to several other products like a cosmetic refrigerator.

Amex Co Introduces Shower Water Softener Beneficial for Skin

Since its debut, Henkel has gotten distribution commitments for Purex Complete Crystals Softener from almost every major retailer in the U.S.

Loads of innovation: washloads, that is. Henkel and Procter & Gamble are delighting consumers with several new laundry product launches that may help push the industry forward and category sales higher

All of Procter & Gamble's Gain laundry detergent and fabric softener products have been upgraded with FreshLock technology, which company executives say provides longer-lasting freshness for laundry.

Locking in freshness

Purex Complete 3-in-l combines detergent, softener and antistatic ingredients in a single sheet that goes from washer to dryer.