aslake

Etymology

From Middle English aslaken, from Old English āslacian (“to become slack, decline, diminish, grow tired, make slack, loosen, relax, dissolve”), equivalent to a- + slake.

aslake means to abate; diminish. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.

Why “aslake” is a great word

ASLAKE — [Verb] To abate, diminish, or mitigate in intensity. From Middle English aslaken, from Old English āslacian ("to become slack, decline, diminish, loosen"), equivalent to the intensive prefix a- + slake ("to lessen, slacken"). Unlike "slake," which quenches a specific thirst or hydrates lime, or "appease," which placates through concession, to aslake is the quiet, general work of attenuation. It is the fever breaking in the small hours, the storm's fury dwindling to a mutter on the pane, and the sharp edge of grief worn smooth by years—the silent mechanics of a world perpetually winding down.

verb

To abate; diminish.
To moderate; mitigate; appease; satisfy.“The beast that prowls about in search of blood, / Or reptile that within the treacherous brake / Waits for the prey, upcoiled, its hunger to aslake. ― Southey, Paraguay.”