[f. as prec. + -ING1.] The action of making lighter, less grave, or less severe. (Mostly gerundial.)
1691. Ray, Creation (1714), 149. [These] conduce much to the alleviating of the Body, and facilitating the Flight [of birds].
1757. Johnson, Rambl., No. 183, ¶ 2. The hope of alleviating the sense of our disparity. Ibid. (1758), Idler, No. 31, ¶ 11. The misery … he has many means of alleviating.
