Main Entry: pal·li·ate

Pronunciation: \ˈpa-lē-ˌāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): pal·li·at·ed; pal·li·at·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin palliatus, past participle of palliare to cloak, conceal, from Latin pallium cloak

Date: 15th century

1 : to reduce the violence of (a disease); also : to ease (symptoms) without curing the underlying disease
2 : to cover by excuses and apologies
3 : to moderate the intensity of <trying to palliate the boredom>

— pal·li·a·tion \ˌpa-lē-ˈā-shən\ noun

— pal·li·a·tor \ˈpa-lē-ˌā-tər\ noun