melioration

[ meel-yuh-rey-shuhn, mee-lee-uh- ]

noun

1. Historical Linguistics. semantic change in a word to a more approved or more respectable meaning. Compare pejoration ( def 2 ).
2. amelioration.

Word History and Origins

Origin of melioration¹

1620–30; < Late Latin meliōrātiōn- (stem of meliōrātiō ), equivalent to meliōrāt ( us ) ( meliorate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The act of ameliorating, or the state of being ameliorated; making or becoming better; improvement; melioration.

From Project Gutenberg

If the consolations of true religion are proffered, they are either spurned with anger, or merely produce an evanescent melioration.

From Project Gutenberg

But professional reformation or melioration is usually an organic, incremental process.

From BusinessWeek

But the seeds from a young tree, having itself the tendency to melioration, are more likely to produce improved sorts.

From Project Gutenberg

There are certain meliorations against cruelty, which, if a nation should transgress, probably other nations might feel called upon to suppress.

From Project Gutenberg