- the process of becoming softer
"refrigeration delayed the softening of the fruit"
"he observed the softening of iron by heat"

- having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin

1. a. & n. from Soften, v.

Softening of the brain
or Cerebral softening
(Med.), a localized softening of the brain substance, due to hemorrhage or inflammation. Three varieties, distinguished by their color and representing different stages of the morbid process, are known respectively as red, yellow, and white, softening.