transitive verb, intransitive verb mitigated -·gat′ed, mitigating -·gat′·ing

1. to make or become milder, less severe, less rigorous, or less painful; moderate

2. Etymology: < confusion with militate

   to operate or work (against): generally considered a loose or erroneous usage

Etymology: ME mitigaten < L mitigatus, pp. of mitigare, to make mild, soft, or tender < mitis, soft (see mignon) + agere, to drive: see act