Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Alleviation \Al*le`vi*a"tion\, n. [LL. alleviatio.]
   1. The act of alleviating; a lightening of weight or
      severity; mitigation; relief.

Source : WordNet®

alleviation
     n 1: the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed
          or reduced; "as he heard the news he was suddenly
          flooded with relief" [syn: {relief}, {assuagement}]
     2: the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or
        annoyance); "he asked the nurse for relief from the
        constant pain" [syn: {easing}, {easement}, {relief}]