mitigation

Mit`i*ga"tion, n. Etym: [OE. mitigacioun, F. mitigation, fr. L. mitigatio.] Defn: The act of mitigating, or the state of being mitigated; abatement or diminution of anything painful, harsh, severe, afflictive, or calamitous; as, the mitigation of pain, grief, rigor, severity, punishment, or penalty. Syn. -- Alleviation; abatement; relief.

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