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relief definition

re·lief (ri lēf′)

noun

    1. an easing, as of pain, discomfort, or anxiety
    2. a lightening of a burden, as of taxation, oppression, etc.
  2. anything that lessens tension or strain, or offers a pleasing change, as to the mind or eye
  3. aid in the form of goods or money given, as by a government agency, to persons unable to support themselves
  4. any aid given in times of need, danger, or disaster, as supplies sent into a flooded area
    1. release from work or duty
    2. the person or persons bringing such release by taking over a post
  6. a payment made by the heir of a feudal vassal to the overlord on taking over an estate

  7. Etymology: Fr < It relievo < rilevare, to raise: see relieve

    Archit., Sculpture
    1. the projection of figures and forms from a flat surface, so that they stand wholly or partly free
    2. a work of art so made
  8. Law the assistance or redress sought by a complainant in a court, esp. a court of equity
  9. Literature, Drama
    1. sharp contrast, as of ideas, actions, or events
    2. comic scenes in a serious drama or film
      in full comic relief
    1. Painting the apparent solidity or projection of objects, obtained by modeling and gradation in color, etc.
    2. distinctness of outline; contrast
  11. Geol.
    1. the differences in height, collectively, of land forms in any particular area
    2. these differences as shown by lines, colors, raised areas, etc. on a map
  12. Printing a method of printing in which the image is carried on raised surfaces; letterpress

Etymology: ME releef < OFr relief < relever: see relieve

adjective

Baseball designating a pitcher who replaces another during a game, esp. one who is regularly used in this way
relief Idioms

in relief

carved or molded so as to project from a surface

on relief

receiving government aid because of poverty, unemployment, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

law relief definition - legal

relief Synonyms

relief

n.

  1. The act of bringing succor

    mitigation, easing, easement, alleviation, assuagement, softening, comforting, remission, deliverance, release, extrication, amelioration.

  2. Aid

    assistance, support, maintenance, welfare; see aid 1.

  3. A relieved state of mind

    satisfaction, relaxation, ease, comfort, release, happiness, contentment, cheer, restfulness, a load off one's mind*; see also comfort 1, ease 1.

  4. The person or thing that brings relief

    diversion, relaxation, consolation, solace, reinforcement, supplies, food, shelter, clothing, release, break, respite, remedy, nursing, medicine, medical care, redress, reparations, indemnities, variety, change, palliative, drug, painkiller, anodyne, analgesic, hypodermic, balm, cure; see also aid 1.

  5. The raised portions of a sculptural decoration or map

    embossment, projection, rilievo (Italian), high relief, half relief, bas-relief, low relief, hollow relief, intaglio, frieze, contour, configuration; see also decoration 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

relief Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • taper: These changes extend the more generous business taper relief to many more shareholdings than previously are also business assets.

Adjective modifier

  • ancillary: Ancillary relief is normally the most contentious part of any divorce proceeding.

Modifies a noun

  • valve: The pressure relief valve may need to be obstructed ( with care!

Noun used with modifier

  • debt: There he is expected to strike a similar debt relief pact.

Preposition: of

  • poverty: The relief of poverty can be carried out in a variety of ways.

Preposition: from

  • taxation: International tax treaties signed by Spain to provide relief from double taxation should be taken into consideration.
relief usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

relief quotes

Vivre est une maladie dont le sommeil nous soulage toutes les16 heures. C'est un palliatif. La mort est le reme'  de. Living is an illness to which sleep provides relief every16 hours.It's a palliative. Death is the remedy.

-Chamfort, Se¤  bastien-Roch Nicolas

HISTORICAL SLUMMING: the act of visiting locations such as diners, smokestack industrial sites, rural villagesölocations where time appears to have been frozen many years backöso as to experience relief when one returns back to'the present'.

-Coupland, Douglas

But where dothey find these lines innature? Personally I only see forms that are lit up and forms that are not, planes which advance and planes which recede, relief and depth. My eye never sees outlines or particular features ordetails.I donot count thehairs in the beard of the man who passes byany more than the buttonholes on his jacket attract my notice. My brush should not see better than I do.

-Goya, Francisco de

relief quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"relief." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/relief>

APA Style

relief. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/relief

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