palliators

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
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
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
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