Forms: 3–4 solaci, -cy, 3– solace, 4–5 solas(e, 5 solais, 6 solles, 8 solless. (See also SOLANCE v.) [ad. OF. solacier, solasier, etc., later soulacier (now arch.), f. solas SOLACE sb.1 Cf. Sp. solazar, It. sollazzare, med.L. solatiari, -are; MDu. solasen, -acen.]
1. trans. To cheer, comfort, console; † to entertain or recreate.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 11511. Sir simon de Mountfort out of warde nom Sir edward him to solaci.
13[?]. Sir Beues, 711. So him solaste þat mai, Þat al is care wente awai.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 226. Crist tauȝte men to suffre … and putte hem in hope þerfore to be solasid of God.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1620. Mony gaumes were begonnen þe grete for to solas. Ibid., 13984. Myche solast hir the sight of hir sone þan, To se the lede vppon lyue, þat ho louet most.
c. 1475. Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls), VIII. 456. Thei destroyede a newe maner made … by that prior … for to solace hym and his breþer þer.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., IV. iii. 377. We will with some strange pastime solace them.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Solace, to afford Solace or Comfort.
1790. Cowper, On My Mother’s Picture, 4. Thy own sweet smiles I see, The same that oft in childhood solaced me.
1812. J. Wilson, Isle of Palms, I. 506. And it may be such dreams are given … To solace them that mourn.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1877), II. 86. They were often solaced by the company of wives and children.
absol. 1820. Shelley, Prometh. Unb., III. iv. 32. Thy simple talk once solaced, now delights.
b. To make (a place) cheerful or pleasant.
1667. Milton, P. L., VII. 434. From Branch to Branch the smaller Birds with song Solac’d the Woods.
1746. J. Hervey, Medit. (1818), 186. Ye Birds … who wake the morn, and solace the groves with your artless lays.
1875. Grindon, Life, i. 8. The walls of old castles and abbeys, which … ivy and the faithful wallflower alone have solaced.
c. To allay, alleviate, assuage, soothe.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 419. The cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help, Or solace his defects.
1712. Blackmore, Creation, V. 60. A Cause Supream,… Who, when implor’d, might timely Succour give, Solace our Anguish, and our Wants relieve.
1797. Mrs. Radcliffe, Italian, II. vi. 177. Paulo was contented to solace his conscience.
1819. Shelley, Cenci, III. i. 311. We sate sad together Solacing our despondency with tears.
1833. Tennyson, Two Voices, 433. A little hint to solace woe.
2. refl. To give (oneself) comfort or consolation, † entertainment or amusement.
1340. Ayenb., 213. Þer-huile þet ich me solaci an playe, iche ne þenche none manne kuead.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1752. Siker were to sit and solas vs here.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 217. Thus thay solaist thame selvin, suthly to say.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 107. Solacyng himselfe with Musicall instrumentes & songes.
1583. Babington, Commandm. (1590), 314. We dare solace our selues in soft beddes too long for our constitutions.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, III. xv. Henry king of Ierusalem, as he was walking in his palace to solace himself, fell down … and brake his neck.
1691. Ray, Creation, II. (1704), 464. With the Thoughts and Expectation whereof he solaces himself.
1746. J. Hervey, Medit. (1818), 21. He solaced himself with the prospect of a long, long series of earthly satisfactions.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), I. v. 283. Duplessis-Mornay often solaced himself by distant communion with that kindred and sympathizing spirit.
1887. Ruskin, Præterita, II. 231. He solaced himself by making a careful collection of all the Florentine wild-flowers for me.
† 3. intr. To take comfort or consolation, recreation or enjoyment. Obs.
1340. Ayenb., 273. Huet kuead is hit yef ich guo playe and solaci.
c. 1475. Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls), VIII. 447. Thei brente þeire faces with yrne that thei scholde not be knowen, and þat Ynglische men scholde not solace of þeire dethe.
1530. Palsgr., 724/2. I am werye of studyenge, I wyll go solace a lytell.
1592. Timme, Ten Eng. Lepers, 63. Friends do solace and joy togither in honest and godly mirth.
1618. Bolton, Florus, IV. xi. (1636), 313. He,… surprised with the love of Queen Cleopatra, solaced on her bosome.
1673. Ladies Calling, I. iii. § 6. Let him stand naked and hungry, whilst they are solacing with that which would relieve him.
1728. Vanbr. & Cibber, Prov. Husb., I. She herself is solacing in one continual round of cards and good company.
4. trans. Of printers: To punish (one) corporally for non-payment of a ‘solace.’ Also transf.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, 357. If the Delinquent … would not pay his Solace at the Price of the Chappel; they Solac’d him.
1784. B. Franklin, in Ann. Reg., Chron. (1817), 385. This foolish letter is mere chit-chat between ourselves…. If, therefore, you show it to any body,… I will positively solless you.
Hence Solaced ppl. a., comforted, consoled.
1836. Mrs. Browning, Poet’s Vow, II. ii. The solaced friends.
