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alleviating |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Alleviate \Al*le"vi*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alleviated}; p. pr & vb n. {Alleviating}.] [LL. alleviare fr L. ad + levis light. See {Alegge}, {Levity}.] 1. To lighten or lessen the force or weight of [Obs.] Should no others join capable to alleviate the expense. --Evelyn. Those large bladders . . . conduce much to the alleviating of the body [of flying birds]. --Ray. 2. To lighten or lessen (physical or mental troubles); to mitigate, or make easier to be endured; as to alleviate sorrow, pain, care etc.; -- opposed to {aggravate}. The calamity of the want of the sense of hearing is much alleviated by giving the use of letters. --Bp. Horsley. 3. To extenuate; to palliate. [R.] He alleviates his fault by an excuse. --Johnson. Syn: To lessen; diminish; soften; mitigate; assuage; abate; relieve; nullify; allay. Usage: To {Alleviate}, {Mitigate}, {Assuage}, {Allay}. These words have in common the idea of relief from some painful state; and being all figurative, they differ in their application, according to the image under which this idea is presented. Alleviate supposes a load which is lightened or taken off as to alleviate one's cares Mitigate supposes something fierce which is made mild; as to mitigate one's anguish. Assuage supposes something violent which is quieted; as to assuage one's sorrow. Allay supposes something previously excited, but now brought down as to allay one's suffering or one's thirst. To alleviate the distresses of life; to mitigate the fierceness of passion or the violence of grief; to assuage angry feeling; to allay wounded sensibility.
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