palliate

Etymology

From Latin palliatus (“cloaked”) (in Late Latin the past participle of palliare (“to cover with a cloak”)), from pallium (“cloak”).

verb

1. To relieve the symptoms of; to ameliorate.
   And if there are some bankers out there who are still embarrassed by the size of their bonuses, then I propose that they palliate their guilt by giving to the Mayor's Fund for London to help deprived children in London. 2009, Boris Johnson, The Evening Standard, 15 Jan 09
2. (obsolete) To hide or disguise.
3. To cover or disguise the seriousness of (a mistake, offence etc.) by excuses and apologies.
   April 5 1628, Bishop Joseph Hall, The Blessings, Sins, and Judgments of God's Vineyard We extenuate not our guilt : whatever we sin , we condemn it as mortal : they palliate wickedness , with the fair pretence of veniality
4. (obsolete) To lessen the severity of; to extenuate, moderate, qualify.
   If, mindless of palliating circumstances, we are bound to regard the death of the Master-at-arms as the prisoner's deed, then does that deed constitute a capital crime whereof the penalty is a mortal one? 1924, Herman Melville, chapter 18, in Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co.
5. To placate or mollify.
   Brown's options for the machinery of Whitehall are constrained, as for all prime ministers, by the need to palliate allies and hug enemies close (John Reid, say). 25 Jan 2007, “Looking towards a Brown future”, in The Guardian

adj

1. (obsolete) Cloaked; hidden, concealed.
2. (obsolete) Eased; mitigated; alleviated.
   [the] most helpful method of its Cure, which yet if palliate and imperfect would onely make way to more fatal Sickness 1661, John Fell, The life of the most learned, reverend, and pious Dr. H. Hammond