Meliorate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meliorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Meliorating.]
Etymology: [L. melioratus, p. p. of meliorare to meliorate, fr. melior better; akin to Gr. Ameliorate.]
To make better; to improve; to ameliorate; to soften; to make more tolerable. Nature by art we nobly meliorate. Denham. The pure and bening light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind. Washington.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Meliorate, v. i.
To grow better.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for meliorate; he lists it under amend.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.