Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.