Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Alleviate

Alleviate ({not transcribed}) , transitive verb

[Late Latin alleviare, from Latin ad + levis light. See Alegge, Levity.]

1.
To lighten or lessen the force or weight of. [Obsolete]
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. [Rare]
He alleviates his fault by an excuse. — Johnson