relief

n. [ OE. relef, F. relief, properly, a lifting up, a standing out. See Relieve, and cf. Basrelief, Rilievi. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He sees the dire contagion spread so fast,
That, where it seizes, all relief is vain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

For this relief much thanks; 'tis bitter cold. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which removes or lessens 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Sculp. & Arch.) The projection of a figure above the ground or plane on which it is formed. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Relief is of three kinds, namely, high relief (altorilievo), low relief, (basso-rilievo), and demirelief (mezzo-rilievo). See these terms in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Paint.) The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Fort.) The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the ditch. Wilhelm. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Physical Geog.) The elevations and surface undulations of a country. Guyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

Relief valve, a valve arranged for relieving pressure of steam, gas, or liquid; an escape valve. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Alleviation; mitigation; aid; help; succor; assistance; remedy; redress; indemnification. [ 1913 Webster ]