palliate

[ pal-ee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pal·li·at·ed, pal·li·at·ing.

1. to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate.
2. to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate.

palliate

/ ˈpælɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to lessen the severity of (pain, disease, etc) without curing or removing; alleviate; mitigate
2. to cause (an offence) to seem less serious by concealing evidence; extenuate

Derived Forms

• ˈpalliˌator, noun
• ˌpalliˈation, noun

Other Words From

• pal·li·a·tion [pal-ee-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• pal·li·a·tor noun
• un·pal·li·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palliate¹

First recorded in 1540–50, palliate is from the Late Latin word palliātus cloaked, covered. See pallium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of palliate¹

C16: from Late Latin palliāre to cover up, from Latin pallium a cloak, pallium

Example Sentences

For others, the choice instead is to palliate reality through alcohol or other assorted fixes.

From Nautilus

A lawyer would try to defend, or palliate, my act from the standpoint of the law.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a political fault, which no circumstances can palliate.

From Project Gutenberg

Pulsatilla is the proper medicine to palliate and regulate the symptoms.

From Project Gutenberg

Later in the case, though Nux may palliate, it will not cure.

From Project Gutenberg

To palliate on such grounds is to believe in the irresponsibility of motives, which should transcend times and occasions.

From Project Gutenberg