Palliative
Etymology
From Latin palliare, "to cloak or cover," from pallium, "a cloak." The original image is of throwing a covering over something — softening it rather than removing it. Palliative care cloaks pain and distress even when the disease cannot be beaten. The everyday sense of a "palliative measure" — a partial, comforting fix — keeps that same idea.
adjective · /PAL-ee-uh-tiv/
Aimed at relieving suffering and easing symptoms rather than curing the underlying disease.
What it names
The dignity in a shift of goals — when comfort and quality of life become the point, not a cure that may not come.
Example
The focus turned to palliative care, making him comfortable and easing the pain.
Related idea
Prophylactic prevents illness; palliative eases the suffering of illness already here.