Main Entry: ame·lio·rate

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt, -ˈmē-lē-ə-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ame·lio·rat·ed; ame·lio·rat·ing

Etymology: alteration of meliorate

Date: 1767

transitive verb : to make better or more tolerableintransitive verb : to grow better

synonyms see improve

— ame·lio·ra·tion \-ˌmēl-yə-ˈrā-shən, -ˌmē-lē-ə-\ noun

— ame·lio·ra·tive \-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrā-tiv, -ˈmē-lē-ə-\ adjective

— ame·lio·ra·tor \-ˌrā-tər\ noun

— ame·lio·ra·to·ry \-rə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective