relief Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
    assuagement; alleviation.
    • as he heard the news he was suddenly flooded with relief
  2. noun the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress)
    ease.
    • he enjoyed his relief from responsibility
    • getting it off his conscience gave him some ease
  3. noun (law) redress awarded by a court
    • was the relief supposed to be protection from future harm or compensation for past injury?
  4. noun someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)
    stand-in; fill-in; substitute; backup; reliever; backup man.
    • the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes
    • we need extra employees for summer fill-ins
  5. noun assistance in time of difficulty
    succour; succor; ministration.
    • the contributions provided some relief for the victims
  6. noun a pause for relaxation
    rest period; respite; rest.
    • people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests
  7. noun a change for the better
    easing; moderation.
  8. noun aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped
    • he has been on relief for many years
  9. noun the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)
    easing; easement; alleviation.
    • he asked the nurse for relief from the constant pain
  10. noun sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the surrounding background
    relievo; embossment; sculptural relief; rilievo.
  11. noun the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged
    • he asked for troops for the relief of Atlanta

WordNet

Re*lief" noun
Etymology
OE. relef, F. relief, properly, a lifting up, a standing out. See Relieve, and cf. Basrelief, Rilievi.
Definitions
  1. The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; the removal, or partial removal, of any evil, or of anything oppressive or burdensome, by which some ease is obtained; succor; alleviation; comfort; ease; redress.
    He seec the dire contagion spread so fast, That, where it seizes, all relief is vain. Dryden.
  2. Release from a post, or from the performance of duty, by the intervention of others, by discharge, or by relay; as, a relief of a sentry.
    For this relief much thanks; ;tis bitter cold. Shak.
  3. That which removes or lessenc evil, pain, discomfort, uneasiness, etc.; that which gives succor, aid, or comfort; also, the person who relieves from performance of duty by taking the place of another; a relay.
  4. (Feudal Law) A fine or composition which the heir of a deceased tenant paid to the lord for the privilege of taking up the estate, which, on strict feudal principles, had lapsed or fallen to the lord on the death of the tenant.
  5. (Sculp. & Arch.) The projection of a figure above the ground or plane on wwhich it is formed. ✍ Relief is of three kinds, namely, high relief (altorilievo), low relief, (basso-rilievo), and demirelief (mezzo-rilievo). See these terms in the Vocabulary.
  6. (Paint.) The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure.
  7. (Fort.) The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the ditch. Wilhelm.
  8. (Physical Geog.) The elevations and surface undulations of a country. Guyot. Syn. -- Alleviation; mitigation; aid; help; succor; assistance; remedy; redress; indemnification.

Webster 1913