Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

reliefless

 - 4 dictionary results

re⋅lief

1  [ri-leef]
Use reliefless 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reliefless
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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.
Cite This Source
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.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see reliefless on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way