palliate
/ˈpælɪeɪt; `pælɪˌet/ v[Tn]
(fml 文)
1 make(esp a pain or disease) less severe or unpleasant, withoutremoving its cause; alleviate 减轻, 缓和（尤指疼痛或疾病）.
2 make (a crime, an offence, etc) seem less serious; excuse or extenuate 减轻, 掩饰（罪行、 过失等）; 为（罪行、 过失等）辩解.