Pronunciation: [sˈɒfənɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "softening" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ˈsɒfənɪŋ/. The "o" is pronounced as "ah" sound, and the "e" at the end is not pronounced. The "f" and "t" sounds are both pronounced clearly, with a short "i" sound in the middle syllable. The word means to make something soft or to become softer, and is commonly used in discussions of cooking, textiles, and medicine.
Softening is a term that refers to the process or act of making something soft or milder in nature, texture, or impact. It involves reducing the hardness, rigidity, or intensity of an object, substance, or condition to make it more pliable, gentle, or lenient. Softening can be achieved through various means, such as physical manipulation, application of heat, addition of liquids or chemicals, or adjusting the parameters of a situation.
In the context of materials, softening typically involves altering their physical properties to enhance flexibility, elasticity, or comfort. For instance, in the textile industry, fabrics are often subjected to treatments that involve softening agents or mechanical processes like tumbling, steaming, or enzyme washing to make them smoother, more supple, and less abrasive to the touch.
In a broader sense, softening can also refer to the amelioration of emotions, attitudes, or disagreements. It involves adopting a more conciliatory or empathetic approach to alleviate tension, reduce hostility, or facilitate compromise. Softening in interpersonal communication often involves using gentle language, expressing understanding, or offering concessions to bridge gaps and promote harmony.
In terms of water treatment, softening refers to the removal of hard minerals, namely calcium and magnesium ions, from water. This process helps prevent the formation of limescale and allows the water to have a smoother texture and be less damaging to pipes, appliances, and skin.
Overall, softening encompasses a wide range of applications and connotations, all aimed at making something softer, gentler, or more pliable in nature, texture, or impact.
• Arteriomalacia.
• Malacia, mollities, the act of becoming or state of being soft, a diminution of the normal consistence of a tissue.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• Making less hard or fierce.
• Act of making less hard or cruel; in paint., the blending of colours into each other.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "softening" is derived from the verb "soften" which can be traced back to the mid-14th century. It is formed by combining the Old English word "sēfte" (meaning "gentle" or "mild") with the suffix "-en" (indicating a process or state). Over time, the term "soften" has evolved to denote the act of making something softer or less firm, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense, and "softening" became its noun form.
