mitigation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the action of reducing the severity, harm, or painfulness of something

   Flood barriers formed one part of the city's climate-risk mitigation plan.

2. 2
   noun

   a fact or circumstance that makes an offense less serious or may justify a lighter penalty

   The judge considered his cooperation with investigators in mitigation of the sentence.

From Middle French mitigation and Latin mitigatio, 'a softening or calming,' from mitigare, 'to make mild or gentle.' Its legal use preserves the idea of softening the force of blame or punishment.

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