definition of
mitigation

[1] #1 mitigation n. [extenuation, palliation] to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious. wn

[2] #2 mitigation n. [extenuation] a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances. wn

[3] #3 mitigation n. [moderation] the action of lessening in severity or intensity; "the object being control or moderation of economic depressions". wn