palliate
UK: ˈpæl.i.eɪt | US: ˈpæl.i.eɪt
vt. to lessen the severity of (pain or disease) without curing it
vt. to make (an offense or problem) seem less serious by providing excuses
palliate = palli<cloak> + ate<verb suffix>
- palli<cloak>: From Latin pallium (a cloak or covering), symbolizing concealment or mitigation.
- ate<verb suffix>: A suffix forming verbs, indicating action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word palliate traces back to the Latin palliatus (cloaked), derived from pallium (a cloak). The metaphorical sense evolved from the idea of "covering up" pain or guilt, much like a cloak hides the body. Over time, it shifted from literal concealment to the modern meaning of alleviating symptoms or excusing faults without fully resolving them.
The doctor prescribed medication to palliate the patient's chronic pain.
His apology seemed designed only to palliate his misconduct, not to address it.
Warm tea can palliate a sore throat temporarily.
The government's measures palliate the economic crisis but fail to solve its root causes.
She tried to palliate her mistake by blaming external factors.