relief
1alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.
a means or thing that relieves pain, distress, anxiety, etc.
money, food, or other help given to those in poverty or need.
something affording a pleasing change, as from monotony.
release from a post of duty, as by the arrival of a substitute or replacement.
the person or persons acting as replacement.
the rescue of a besieged town, fort, etc., from an attacking force.
the freeing of a closed space, as a tank or boiler, from more than a desirable amount of pressure or vacuum.
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.
Literature.
a distinct or abrupt change in mood, scene, action, etc., resulting in a reduction of intensity, as in a play or novel.
Idioms about relief
on relief, receiving financial assistance from a municipal, state, or federal government because of poverty or need.
Origin of relief
1Other words for relief
1 | mitigation, comfort, assuagement |
2 | remedy, redress |
3 | succor, aid |
Opposites for relief
1 | intensification |
Other words from relief
- re·lief·less, adjective
Other definitions for relief (2 of 2)
prominence, distinctness, or vividness due to contrast.
the projection of a figure or part from the ground or plane on which it is formed, as in sculpture or similar work.
a piece or work in such projection.
an apparent projection of parts in a painting, drawing, etc., giving the appearance of the third dimension.
Physical Geography. the differences in elevation and slope between the higher and lower parts of the land surface of a given area.
Also called relief printing. 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.
Origin of relief
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use relief in a sentence
Most of them are insignificant, colorless, reliefless, purposeless.
Idling in Italy | Joseph Collins
British Dictionary definitions for relief
/ (rɪˈliːf) /
a feeling of cheerfulness or optimism that follows the removal of anxiety, pain, or distress: I breathed a sigh of relief
deliverance from or alleviation of anxiety, pain, distress, etc
help or assistance, as to the poor, needy, or distressed
(as modifier): relief work
short for tax relief
something that affords a diversion from monotony
a person who replaces or relieves another at some task or duty
a bus, shuttle plane, etc, that carries additional passengers when a scheduled service is full
a road (relief road) carrying traffic round an urban area; bypass
the act of freeing a beleaguered town, fortress, etc: the relief of Mafeking
(as modifier): a relief column
Also called: relievo, rilievo sculpture architect
the projection of forms or figures from a flat ground, so that they are partly or wholly free of it
a piece of work of this kind
a printing process, such as engraving, letterpress, etc, that employs raised surfaces from which ink is transferred to the paper
any vivid effect resulting from contrast: comic relief
variation in altitude in an area; difference between highest and lowest level: a region of low relief
mechanical engineering the removal of the surface material of a bearing area to allow the access of lubricating fluid
law redress of a grievance or hardship: to seek relief through the courts
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
on relief US and Canadian (of a person) in receipt of government aid because of personal need
Origin of relief
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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