Sekirov Dictionary

palliate

/ˈpælieɪt/

verb 5
adjective 2
forms 5

verb5

•
(figurative) To cover or disguise the seriousness of (a mistake, offence etc.) by excuses and apologies.
- April 5 1628, Bishop Joseph Hall, The Blessings, Sins, and Judgments of God's Vineyard We extenuate not our guilt : whatever we sin , we condemn it as mortal : they palliate wickedness , with the fair pretence of veniality
•
To placate or mollify.
- [Gordon] Brown's options for the machinery of Whitehall are constrained, as for all prime ministers, by the need to palliate allies and hug enemies close (John Reid, say). — 2007
To relieve the symptoms of; to ameliorate.
•
To lessen the severity of; to extenuate, moderate, qualify.
- "Ah, dearest!" replied he, "your spirits are exhausted,—perhaps unconsciously oppressed with the idea of that future whose pain and whose peril I have rather heightened than palliated." — 1834
(no longer used) To hide or disguise.

adjective2

(no longer used) Hidden, concealed.
(no longer used, rare) (of a cure) superficial or temporary.

forms

palliated · palliating · palliates · more palliate · most palliate

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