relieve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   provide physical relief, as from pain

   This pill will relieve your headaches

2. 2
   verb

   alleviate or remove pressure or stress, make less oppressive

   Meditation relieves stress.

3. 3
   verb

   take by stealing

   The thief relieved me of $100

4. 4
   verb

   To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.

   I was greatly relieved by the jury's verdict.

5. 5
   verb

   To free (someone) from debt or legal obligations; to give legal relief to.

   This shall not relieve either Party of any obligations.

6. 6
   verb

   To bring military help to (a besieged town); to lift the siege on.

   In 1574, the duke of Alva laid siege to Leiden to gain control of Holland's most beautiful and prosperous city. To relieve the siege, William of Orange and his followers opened the city's protective dikes to flush out—literally—the surrounding Spanish forces.

7. 7
   verb

   To release (someone) from or of a difficulty, unwanted task, responsibility etc.

   1923, Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados Carrados was carrying a small leather case which he allowed Loudham to relieve him of, together with his hat and gloves.

8. 8
   verb

   To make (something) stand out; to make prominent, bring into relief.

   The henna should be deeply dyed to make / The skin relieved appear more fairly fair […]

Etymology

From Late Middle English releven, from Old French relever, specifically from the conjugated forms such as (jeo) relieve (“I lift up”), and its source, Latin relevo (“to lift up, lighten, relieve, alleviate”), combined form of re- (“back”) + levo (“to lift”). Doublet of relevate. Compare levant, levity, etc.