palliate

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pal·li·ate / ˈpalēˌāt/ • v. [tr.] make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause: treatment works by palliating symptoms. ∎  allay or moderate (fears or suspicions): this eliminated, or at least palliated, suspicions aroused by German unity. ∎  disguise the seriousness or gravity of (an offense): there is no way to excuse or palliate his dirty deed.DERIVATIVES: pal·li·a·tion / ˌpalēˈāshən/ n.pal·li·a·tor / -ˌātər/ n.