soften-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: make images or sounds less sharp

Examples:
Be careful not to over blur the dust because that will soften the image area.
It is common knowledge that anti-aliasing filters soften the resolution.
I move my hand toward the sound hole to soften the notes and move back to the bridge to give them edge.
Turning up the attack time will help to 'soften' the notes and make them blur into the mix.

Mappings:
VerbNet: other_cos-45.4
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: soften.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 5

Sense Number 2: lessen in force, impact, or effect

Examples:
The quick enactment last year of the President's tax relief plan softened the recessionary headwinds in 2001.
Astronomers have significantly softened the wording of the Torino scale.
And the more he smiled the more his face softened.
These occurrences softened the sting of Dutchess Mall's presence.

Mappings:
VerbNet: other_cos-45.4
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: soften.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 4, 5

Sense Number 3: weaken, make or become more receptive to outside influences

Examples:
He says this crisis has softened the hearts of many.
Once it had softened up the enemy's front line, troops cut gaps in the barbed wire.
His hard-boiled American opponent softened when the topic turned to breakfast.

Mappings:
VerbNet: other_cos-45.4
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: soften.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: make or become physically less hard or rough

Examples:
After the bars have been softened, the containers are removed from the microwave oven.
Of the many solvents tested, only acetone softened the adhesive effectively.
Really soak it into the leather and it will soften it in no time.

Mappings:
VerbNet: other_cos-45.4
FrameNet: Change_consistency,Cause_change_of_consistency
PropBank: soften.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6, 7