palliative

[ pal-ee-ey-tiv, -ee-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving to palliate.

noun

1. something that palliates.

palliative

/ ˈpælɪətɪv /

adjective

1. serving to palliate; relieving without curing

noun

1. something that palliates, such as a sedative drug or agent

Derived Forms

• ˈpalliatively, adverb

Other Words From

• palli·ative·ly adverb
• non·palli·ative adjective
• non·palli·ative·ly adverb
• un·palli·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palliative¹

From the French word palliatif, dating back to 1535–45. See palliate, -ive

Example Sentences

Streeting has repeatedly expressed his view that the palliative care system is not "where it needs to be to give people a real choice".

From BBC

He said the UK should instead fix its "broken and patchy palliative care system so everyone can have a dignified death".

From BBC

Groups who oppose changing the law say vulnerable people could feel under pressure to end their lives for fear of being a burden on others and that the focus should be on improving palliative care.

From BBC

The funeral for the comic, who died on 2 November aged 63 after receiving palliative care for terminal cancer, will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral in the city’s west end.

From BBC

He presented a bill on children’s hospice funding to Parliament on 29 October, requiring the government to conduct a review of funding for hospices specialising in the care of children and to guarantee access to hospices for all children who need palliative care.

From BBC

Related Words

• apology
• approval
• argument
• basis
• confirmation
• explanation
• pretext
• rationale
• rationalization
• vindication