Re*lief" (r?-l?f"), 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.
He sees the dire contagion spread so fast,
That, where it seizes, all relief is vain.
Dryden. 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.
For this relief much thanks; 'tis bitter cold.
Shak.
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.
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.
5. (Sculp. & Arch.) The projection of a figure above the ground or plane on which it is formed.
&fist;
Relief is of three kinds, namely, high relief (altorilievo), low relief, (basso-rilievo), and demirelief (mezzo-rilievo). See these terms in the Vocabulary.
6. (Paint.) The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure.
7. (Fort.) The height to which works are raised above the bottom of
the ditch.
Wilhelm.
8. (Physical Geog.) The
elevations and surface
undulations of a country. Guyot.
Relief valve, a valve arranged for relieving pressure of steam, gas, or
liquid; an escape valve.
Syn. -- Alleviation; mitigation; aid; help; succor; assistance; remedy; redress; indemnification.
Hear it pronounced