relief

¹

[ ri-leef ]

noun

1. alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.

   Synonyms: comfort, mitigation

2. a means or thing that relieves pain, distress, anxiety, etc.
3. money, food, or other help given to those in poverty or need.

   Synonyms: aid, succor, redress, remedy

4. something affording a pleasing change, as from monotony.
5. release from a post of duty, as by the arrival of a substitute or replacement.
6. the person or persons acting as replacement.
7. the rescue of a besieged town, fort, etc., from an attacking force.
8. the freeing of a closed space, as a tank or boiler, from more than a desirable amount of pressure or vacuum.
9. Feudal Law. a fine or composition which the heir of a feudal tenant paid to the lord for the privilege of succeeding to the estate.
10. Literature.
    1. a distinct or abrupt change in mood, scene, action, etc., resulting in a reduction of intensity, as in a play or novel.
    2. comic relief.

relief

²

[ ri-leef ]

noun

1. prominence, distinctness, or vividness due to contrast.
2. the projection of a figure or part from the ground or plane on which it is formed, as in sculpture or similar work.
3. a piece or work in such projection.
4. an apparent projection of parts in a painting, drawing, etc., giving the appearance of the third dimension.
5. Physical Geography. the differences in elevation and slope between the higher and lower parts of the land surface of a given area.
6. Also called relief printing. Printing. any printing process, as letterpress or flexography, in which the printing ink is transferred to paper or another printed surface from areas that are higher than the rest of the block.

relief

/ rɪˈliːf /

noun

1. a feeling of cheerfulness or optimism that follows the removal of anxiety, pain, or distress

   I breathed a sigh of relief

2. deliverance from or alleviation of anxiety, pain, distress, etc
3. 1. help or assistance, as to the poor, needy, or distressed
   2. ( as modifier )

      relief work

4. See tax relief
   short for tax relief
5. something that affords a diversion from monotony
6. a person who replaces or relieves another at some task or duty
7. a bus, shuttle plane, etc, that carries additional passengers when a scheduled service is full
8. a road ( relief road ) carrying traffic round an urban area; bypass
9. 1. the act of freeing a beleaguered town, fortress, etc

      the relief of Mafeking

   2. ( as modifier )

      a relief column

10. Also calledrelievorilievo sculpture architect
    1. the projection of forms or figures from a flat ground, so that they are partly or wholly free of it
    2. a piece of work of this kind
11. a printing process, such as engraving, letterpress, etc, that employs raised surfaces from which ink is transferred to the paper
12. any vivid effect resulting from contrast

    comic relief

13. variation in altitude in an area; difference between highest and lowest level

    a region of low relief

14. mechanical engineering the removal of the surface material of a bearing area to allow the access of lubricating fluid
15. law redress of a grievance or hardship

    to seek relief through the courts

16. European history a succession of payments made by an heir to a fief to his lord: the size of the relief was determined by the lord within bounds set by custom
17. on relief
    on relief (of a person) in receipt of government aid because of personal need

Other Words From

• re·liefless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relief¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English relef(e), releffe, relief(e), from Old French relief, relef(e), derivative of relever “to raise”; relieve

Origin of relief²

First recorded in 1600–10; from French relief, from Italian rilievo; relief ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of relief¹

C14: from Old French, from relever to raise up; see relieve

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on relief, receiving financial assistance from a municipal, state, or federal government because of poverty or need.

Example Sentences

When they finally meet up in the elevator, they look like they can’t believe it themselves, and you feel almost stupid with relief.

From Washington Post

Vance saw a pre-screening of the film and expressed relief that people wouldn’t see those scenes.

From Washington Post

If you’re an athlete, you can use them for additional relief on sore muscles.

From Popular-Science

As arguments about the size and scope of covid relief demonstrate, political debate alone does not pose an existential threat to the Republic.

From Time

Both executives expressed relief that the merger with Outbrain fell through last year.

From Digiday

In January, an appeal hearing will determine whether he qualifies for post-conviction relief.

From The Daily Beast

And, every election, we have our quasi-comic-relief candidates, your Al Haigs and Gary Bauers and Bill Richardsons.

From The Daily Beast

Take responsibility for an endless stream of people, even as our own suffer, and struggle to get policy relief from Washington.

From The Daily Beast

Adnan has an appeal hearing for post-conviction relief set for January.

From The Daily Beast

Rob Marshall lets a sigh of relief erupt so loud it could be heard by giants in the sky.

From The Daily Beast

It was with a feeling of relief on both sides that the arrival of Mr. Haggard, of the Home Office, was announced.

From Project Gutenberg

Several suggestions for the relief of the country bank have come to their notice.

From Project Gutenberg

But she kept the same tone, and its tender archness only gave a greater sweetness to his sense of relief.

From Project Gutenberg

And now everybody turned out with a feeling of intense relief to witness the rejoicings on the village green.

From Project Gutenberg

So with its completion, he wrapped it carefully, and sent it to a Chicago publisher, while he sighed with relief.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alleviation
• assistance
• comfort
• happiness
• help
• maintenance
• reprieve
• respite
• satisfaction
• support