palliate
[ pal-ee-eyt ]
/ ˈpæl iˌeɪt /
verb (used with object), pal·li·at·ed, pal·li·at·ing.
to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate.
to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate.
Nearby words
Origin of palliate
Related formspal·li·a·tion, nounpal·li·a·tor, nounnon·pal·li·a·tion, nounun·pal·li·at·ed, adjective
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for palliate
British Dictionary definitions for palliate
palliate
/ (ˈpælɪˌeɪt) /
verb (tr)
to lessen the severity of (pain, disease, etc) without curing or removing; alleviate; mitigate
to cause (an offence) to seem less serious by concealing evidence; extenuate
Derived Formspalliation, nounpalliator, noun
Word Origin for palliate
C16: from Late Latin palliāre to cover up, from Latin pallium a cloak, pallium
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for palliate
palliate
"alleviate without curing," early 15c., from Medieval Latin palliatus, literally "cloaked," from past participle of Late Latin palliare "cover with a cloak, conceal," from Latin pallium "cloak" (see pall (n.)). Related: Palliated; palliating; palliation.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for palliate
palliate
[ păl′ē-āt′ ]
v.
To reduce the severity of; to relieve somewhat.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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