palliator

Noun

palliator (plural palliators)

1. An apologist; one who justifies or excuses atrocities by citing extenuating circumstances or positive aspects.
   • We never have been, are not, and never will be, directly or indirectly, the apologists or palliators of duelling.1835 September, J. C. Bluett, “Duelling; or, the Laws of Honoiur examined upon Principles of Common Sense and Revealed Truth”, in Colburn's New Monthly Magazine, volume 45, number 177, page 377
   • He was unquestionably the ablest debater that the British parliament ever produced, but his fame has not, like that of his great opponent, stood the test of time ; and the present generation, removed from the fascination of his fervid eloquence, can scarcely applaud the political penetration of the...1852, Sir Archibald Alison, Epitome of Alison's History of Europe, page 251
2. Someone or something that palliates; A person or thing that soothes or reduces difficulties.
   • The only charm within the hated walls of my prison had ceased to exist ; the galling chain of slavery threatened to crush me — for the soother, the palliator, the dear, dear friend of my bosom no longer felt a participation in my sorrows.1810, Louisa Sidney Stanhope, Di Montranzo; or the novice of Corpus domini, page 261
   • A sense of humour is man's true palliator.1911, Hildric Davenport, The Opinion Shop, page 33
3. A medical professional who provides palliative care.
   • I dislike to be a tinker; a mere palliator and work in line with old women. Years ago I found that patients were on and off the doctor's books indefinitely, and I grew tired of seeing them reappear, and I sought and found a better way to get rid of them.1892, The Medical Advance - Volumes 28-29, page 269
   • The worst motivation and professional circumstances for the palliator would be the slowly dawning frustration of a scientifically orientated doctor who realizes the failure of a scientific career.1994 March, Volker Diehl, “Controversies in terminal cancer care”, in Supportive Care in Cancer, volume 2, number 2
4. A device that allows a patient to control the amount of pain medication that is added into an intravenous drip; infusion pump.
   • A more sophisticated device is the Newcastle interactive palliator, in which a continuous low-dose intravenous infusion is combined with patient-operated demand increment.1984, John N. Lunn, Quality of Care in Anaesthetic Practice, →ISBN, page 174
   • While my normal practice is to explain the system to the patient preoperatively, it is not necessary to show the palliator to the patient at this time, and patients can operate PCA satisfactorily where no preoperative instruction has been possible.1989 July, JM Cundy, “Subcutaneous ketamine analgesia: postoperative analgesia using subcutaneous infusions of ketamine and morphine”, in Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, volume...