Dictionary

liss en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

From Middle English lis, lisse, lysse, from Old English liss, līs, līþs (“grace, favor, love, kindness, mercy, joy, peace, rest, remission, forgiveness, alleviation, salvation”), from Proto-Germanic *linþisjō (“rest”), from Proto-Indo-European *lent- (“bendsome, resilient”). Cognate with Danish lise (“solace, relief”), Swedish lisa (“solace, relief”). Related to Old English līþe (“lithe, soft, gentle, meek, mild, serene, benign, gracious, pleasant, sweet”). See lithe.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, uncountable) Relief; ease; abatement; cessation; release.
2. (obsolete, uncountable) Comfort; happiness.
3. (UK, dialectal, obsolete, uncountable) A respite from pain.

Synonyms

jollity · gleesomeness · joviality · ease · gleefulness · merriness · felicity · high spirits · release · relief · jovialness · contentness · alleviation · mirth · contentment · blitheness · gayness · elatedness · merriment · consolation · cheeriness · gayfulness · cheeriness · joyfulness · liss · cheerfulness · solace · delightedness · comfort · exuberantness · blithesomeness · contentedness · joy · mirthfulness · solace · relief · exuberance · respite · happiness · gladsomeness · elation · joyousness · glee · gladness · gaiety · hilarity · pleasedness · jolliness · liss · delight

liss en · VERB · etymology 2

Etymology

From Middle English lissen, lyssen, from Old English lissan (“to subdue”), from Old English liss. Cognate with Swedish lisa (“to soften, weaken”). See above.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, transitive) To ease; lighten; relieve; abate.
2. (UK, dialectal, obsolete) To cease; stop.

Forms