Relief

//ɹɪˈliːf// adj, noun, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Characterized by surface inequalities.
  2. 2
    Of or used in letterpress.
Noun
  1. 1
    The removal of stress or discomfort. countable, uncountable

    "I sighed with relief when I found out that my daughter hadn't got lost, but was waiting for me at home."

  2. 2
    A method of sculpture or other artwork in which shapes or figures protrude from a flat background. uncountable
  3. 3
    the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance) wordnet
  4. 4
    The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort. countable, uncountable

    "Tony's face expressed relief, and Nettie sat silent for a moment until the vicar said “It was a generous impulse, but it may have been a momentary one,[…].”"

  5. 5
    A sculpture or other artwork made with such a method. countable
Show 23 more definitions
  1. 6
    the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged wordnet
  2. 7
    Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    The apparent difference in elevation in the surface of a painting or drawing made noticeable by a variation in light or color. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped wordnet
  5. 10
    The person who takes over a shift for another. countable, uncountable

    "Officer Schmidt can finally go home because his relief has arrived."

  6. 11
    The difference of elevations on a surface. countable, uncountable

    "the relief on that part of the Earth's surface"

  7. 12
    assistance in time of difficulty wordnet
  8. 13
    Aid or assistance offered in time of need. countable, uncountable

    "Relief arrived quickly after the disaster."

  9. 14
    Relative distinctness, perceived difference due to contrast. countable, uncountable

    "And is it that the haze of grief ⁠Hath stretch’d my former joy so great? ⁠The lowness of the present state, That sets the past in this relief?"

  10. 15
    sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the surrounding background wordnet
  11. 16
    Military assistance to break a siege or an encirclement. countable, uncountable
  12. 17
    The supposed projection of a charge from the surface of a field, indicated by shading on the sinister and lower sides. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    a change for the better wordnet
  14. 19
    Court-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress. countable, uncountable
  15. 20
    the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced wordnet
  16. 21
    A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief. countable, uncountable
  17. 22
    someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult) wordnet
  18. 23
    A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor. countable, uncountable
  19. 24
    (law) redress awarded by a court wordnet
  20. 25
    Permission for a player to move their ball to a more convenient spot before taking a shot, under certain circumstances. countable, uncountable
  21. 26
    the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress) wordnet
  22. 27
    Ellipsis of relief teacher. Australia, New-Zealand, abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, countable, ellipsis, uncountable

    "Do we have a relief for maths today?"

  23. 28
    a pause for relaxation wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Old French relief (“assistance”), from Old French relever (“to relieve”), from Latin relevare (“to raise up, make light”). See also relieve.

Etymology 2

From Italian rilievo, from rilevare (“to raise”), from Latin relevō (“to raise”).

Etymology 3

From Italian rilievo, from rilevare (“to raise”), from Latin relevō (“to raise”).

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