mitigative
|mit-i-ga-tive|
/ˈmɪtɪɡətɪv/
make milder
Etymology
'mitigative' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'mitigare', where 'mitis' meant 'mild' or 'gentle' and the suffix formed verbs meaning 'to make'.
'mitigare' passed into English through Medieval/Latin-derived forms such as Old French 'mitiger' and the Late Latin participle 'mitigatus', eventually giving rise to the English verb 'mitigate' and the adjective 'mitigative'.
Initially it meant 'to make mild or soften', and over time it evolved into the adjective meaning 'having the effect of lessening severity', while related noun forms like 'mitigation' denote the act or result.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
tending or serving to mitigate; having the effect of making something less severe, harsh, or painful.
The company introduced several mitigative measures to reduce the environmental impact.
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Adjective 2
(legal, formal) Serving as a factor that lessens culpability or the severity of a penalty (i.e., a mitigating circumstance).
The defendant's lawyer presented mitigative evidence to argue for a reduced sentence.
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Last updated: 2025/11/23 23:59