soft: [OE] Soft goes back to a prehistoric West Germanic *samft-, which also produced German sanft ‘gentle, easy, smooth’ and Dutch zacht ‘soft’. It may go back ultimately to the prehistoric base *sōrn- ‘fitting, agreeable’, source of English seem and seemly. => seem, seemly
soft (adj.)
Old English softe, earlier sefte, "gentle, mild-natured; easeful, comfortable, calm, undisturbed; luxurious," from West Germanic *samfti, from Proto-Germanic *samftijaz "level, even, smooth, gentle, soft" (cognates: Old Saxon safti, Old High German semfti, German sanft; and from a variant form with -ch- for -f-, Middle Dutch sachte, Dutch zacht, German sacht), from root *som- "fitting, agreeable."
From c. 1200 of material things, "not stiff, not coarse, fine; yielding to weight." From late 14c. of wind, rain, etc. Of sounds, "quiet, not loud," from early 13c. Of words, "mild, restrained; courteous" mid-14c. From late 14c. as "indulgent," also "physically feeble; easily overcome, lacking manly courage." From 1755 of water ("relatively free from mineral salts"), from 1789 of coal. Meaning "foolish, simple, silly" is attested from 1620s; earlier "easily moved or swayed; soft-hearted, sympathetic; docile" (early 13c.). In reference to drinks, "non-alcoholic" from 1880. As an adverb, Old English softe "gently;" late 13c. as "quietly." As an interjection from 1540s.
Soft landing is from 1958 and the U.S. space program. Adjective soft-core (in reference to pornography) is from 1966 (see hardcore). Soft rock as a music style is attested from 1969. Soft sell is from 1955. Soft-shoe as a dancing style is attested from 1927. Soft-boiled is from 1757 of eggs; of persons, ideas, etc., 1930 (compare half-baked). Soft-focus (adj.) of camera shots is from 1917. The softer sex "women collectively" is from 1640s.
雙語例句
1. In the background, in soft focus, we see his smiling wife.
在背景部分，我們可以看到他妻子麵帶微笑的蒙影像。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
針對他們各人不同的需要挑選柔軟、軟硬適中或者堅硬的床墊。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The President could continue to bash Democrats as being soft on crime.
總統可能會繼續抨擊民主黨人對待犯罪活動心慈手軟。
來自柯林斯例句
4. She sighed, then continued in a soft, calm voice.
她歎了口氣，然後繼續用溫柔、平靜的聲音說下去。
來自柯林斯例句
5. I think more customers probably prefer a soft sell.