relief
adjEtymology From Italian rilievo, from rilevare (“to raise”), from Latin relevō (“to raise”).
1
Of a surface Characterized by surface inequalities.
2
Of or used in letterpress.
relief
nounUK /rɪˈliːf/ · US /rɪˈlif/
Etymology From Old French relief (“assistance”), from Old French relever (“to relieve”), from Latin relevare (“to raise up, make light”). See also relieve.
11 senses
- 1The removal of stress or discomfort.
- 2The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort.
- 3Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another.
- 4The person who takes over a shift for another.
- 5Aid or assistance offered in time of need.
- 6Military assistance to break a siege or an encirclement.
- 7Court-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress.
- 8A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief.
- 9A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a…
- 10Permission for a player to move their ball to a more…
- 11Ellipsis of relief teacher.
1
The removal of stress or discomfort.
- I sighed with relief when I found out that my daughter hadn't got lost, but was waiting for me at home.
- Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness,[…]. It was with a palpable relief that he heard the first warning notes of the figure.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
2
The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort.
- 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,[…].”1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC:
- DfT's action was greeted with great relief in many quarters.2020 April 8, Philip Haigh, “Out of the current crisis we could see meaningful changes”, in Rail, page 56:
3
Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another.
4
The person who takes over a shift for another.
- Officer Schmidt can finally go home because his relief has arrived.
- At Leeds a relief crew was waiting—but without a relief locomotive; after some discussion, the new men offered to take on the A3. [...].1963 February, “Motive Power Miscellany: London Midland Region”, in Modern Railways, page 136:
5
Aid or assistance offered in time of need.
- Relief arrived quickly after the disaster.
- On busy days, they also may be seen bowling along the Brighton main line, north of Keymer Junction, with a relief Newhaven boat express, […].1950 November, R. A. H. Weight, “A Railway Recorder in Southern England”, in Railway Magazine, page 772:
6
Government, Military, Politics, War Military assistance to break a siege or an encirclement.
7
Law Court-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress.
8
A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief.
9
A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor.
11
Australia, New Zealand, Abbreviation, Colloquial, Ellipsis Ellipsis of relief teacher.
- Do we have a relief for maths today?
- Derived terms
38 terms
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