This Week’s Word: Palliative \ˈpa-lē-ˌā-tiv, ˈpal-yə-\ [PAL-ee-uh-tiv] adjective & noun.
Palliative is used to describe something that relieves an ailment. Adjective form: something soothing. Noun form: painkiller.
Synonyms: Sedative, anodyne, opiate, and calmative.
Etymology: Palliative derives from the word “Palliate”, a verb meaning to relieve a pain or ailment. It derives from the Latin Medieval term “Palliare”, meaning “to cloak.” It was then interpreted by the French into “Palliatif” and the English into “Palliate,” until it settled into what is used now by the late Middle English.
This word has been widely used in recent years in hospitals and other medical field entities. Specifically, the term is “Palliative Care,” described as an alternate means of caring for patients to hospice. Rather than using abrasive measures to keep deteriorating patients alive, as often is the case in hospice, Palliative Care provides safer relief to ailments that patients are experiencing painful symptoms to diseases, injuries, or any other type of condition. In other words, it directly focuses on subduing the suffering of patients.
Sample 1: The Reynolds family decided to submit their grandfather to Palliative Care after his treatments in hospice proceeded to deteriorate his body.
Sample 2: After a long day at work, Ralph went to the pharmacy to look for palliatives for his sore back.