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(), 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. -- 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 スポンサード リンク
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