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relief

 - 7 dictionary results
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re⋅lief

1  [ri-leef]
Use relief in a Sentence
–noun
1. alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.
2. a means or thing that relieves pain, distress, anxiety, etc.
3. money, food, or other help given to those in poverty or need.
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.
a. a distinct or abrupt change in mood, scene, action, etc., resulting in a reduction of intensity, as in a play or novel.
b. comic relief.
—Idiom
11. on relief, receiving financial assistance from a municipal, state, or federal government because of poverty or need.
Origin:
1300–50; ME relef < OF relief, deriv. of relever to raise; see relieve

Related forms:
re⋅lief⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. mitigation, assuagement, comfort. 3. succor, aid, redress, remedy.

Antonyms:
1. intensification.
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re⋅lief

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 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:
1600–10; < F relief and It rilievo; see relief 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To relief
re·lief   (rĭ-lēf')   
n.  

  1. The easing of a burden or distress, such as pain, anxiety, or oppression.

  2. Something that alleviates pain or distress.

    1. Public assistance.

    2. Aid in time of danger, especially rescue from siege.

    3. Release from a post or duty, as that of sentinel.

    4. One who releases another by taking over a post or duty.

    5. The projection of figures or forms from a flat background, as in sculpture, or the apparent projection of such shapes in a painting or drawing.

    6. A work of art featuring such projection. Also called relievo.

    1. Release from a post or duty, as that of sentinel.

    2. One who releases another by taking over a post or duty.

    3. The projection of figures or forms from a flat background, as in sculpture, or the apparent projection of such shapes in a painting or drawing.

    4. A work of art featuring such projection. Also called relievo.

  5. A pleasant or amusing change; a diversion.

    1. The projection of figures or forms from a flat background, as in sculpture, or the apparent projection of such shapes in a painting or drawing.

    2. A work of art featuring such projection. Also called relievo.

  7. Geology The variations in elevation of an area of the earth's surface.

  8. Distinction or prominence due to contrast: "The light brought the white church . . . into relief from the flat ledges" (Willa Cather).

  9. Law Redress awarded by a court.

  10. Baseball The pitching done by a relief pitcher: gave the team two innings of excellent relief.

  11. A payment made by the heir of a deceased tenant to a feudal lord for the privilege of succeeding to the tenant's estate.


[Middle English, from Old French, from relever, to relieve; see relieve. Senses 6, 7, and 8, French, from Italian rilievo; see bas-relief.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

relief  (1)
"ease, alleviation," c.1330, from Anglo-Fr. relif, from O.Fr. relief "assistance," lit. "a raising, that which is lifted," from stressed stem of relever (see relieve). Meaning "aid to impoverished persons" is attested from c.1400; that of "deliverance of a besieged town" is from c.1548.

relief  (2)
"projection of figure or design from a flat surface," 1606, from It. rilievo, from rilevare "to raise," from L. relevare "to raise, lighten" (see relieve).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·lief
Function: noun
: redress, assistance, or protection given by law esp. from a court relief the plaintiff seeks>: as a : release from obligation or duty <relief from judgment> b : an order from a court granting a particular remedy (as return of property) relief> relief> —see also REMEDY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·lief
Pronunciation: ri-'lEf
Function: noun
: removal or lightening of something oppressive or distressing <relief of pain>relief of glaucoma>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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