remediate v.

"action of remedying," now especially in teaching or physical therapy, 1818, noun of action from stem of Latin remediare, from remedium "a cure, remedy" (see remedy (n.)). In educational jargon by 1966; of pollution, by 1986. The latest uses might be fresh coinages from remediate (v.).

c. 1200, remedie, "means of counteracting sin or evil of any kind; cure for a vice or temptation;" late 14c., "a cure for a disease or disorder, medicine or process which restores health;" from Anglo-French remedie, Old French remede "remedy, cure" (12c., Modern French remède) and directly from Latin remedium "a cure, remedy, medicine, antidote, that which restores health," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (or perhaps literally, "again;" see re-), + mederi "to heal" (from PIE root *med- "take appropriate measures").

Figurative use is from c. 1300. The meaning "legal redress; means for obtaining justice, redress, or compensation through a court" is by mid-15c.