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单词 relieve
释义

relievev.

Brit. /rᵻˈliːv/, U.S. /rəˈliv/, /riˈliv/
Forms:

α. Middle English relevyed (past participle), Middle English releyue, Middle English–1500s releve, Middle English–1600s releeue, Middle English–1600s releeve, Middle English–1600s releue, Middle English–1600s relieue, Middle English– relieve, late Middle English–1500s releuye, late Middle English–1600s releiue, 1500s realeve, 1500s relyeue, 1500s relyeve, 1500s–1600s releave, 1500s–1700s releive, 1600s releaue, 1600s releieue; Scottish pre-1700 releaue, pre-1700 releave, pre-1700 releeve, pre-1700 releiue, pre-1700 releiv, pre-1700 releive, pre-1700 releiw, pre-1700 releiwe, pre-1700 releue, pre-1700 relev, pre-1700 relewe, pre-1700 releyit (past participle), pre-1700 releyt (past tense and past participle), pre-1700 releyue, pre-1700 relieue, pre-1700 relleve, pre-1700 1700s releve, pre-1700 1700s– relieve.

β. Middle English–1500s relyue, Middle English–1500s relyve, Middle English–1600s reliue, 1500s–1600s relive; Scottish pre-1700 reliue, pre-1700 relive, pre-1700 reliwe, pre-1700 relyve.

γ. late Middle English releef, late Middle English relef, late Middle English releff, late Middle English relyfe, late Middle English relyff, late Middle English (1900s– in sense 13) relief, late Middle English–1500s relefe, late Middle English–1500s releffe, 1500s–1600s releefe, 1500s–1600s releife; Scottish pre-1700 releaf, pre-1700 releafe, pre-1700 relef, pre-1700 relefe, pre-1700 releff, pre-1700 releif, pre-1700 releife, pre-1700 releiff, pre-1700 releyff, pre-1700 relief, pre-1700 relieff, pre-1700 relyf, pre-1700 relyfft (past participle); N.E.D. (1906) also records a form late Middle English releefe (northern).

δ. Scottish pre-1700 ralef, pre-1700 raleif, pre-1700 raleiff, pre-1700 raleue, pre-1700 raleyf.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French releiver; Latin relevāre.
Etymology: < Anglo-Norman releiver, relevier, releivre, Anglo-Norman and Middle French, French relever to put (a thing, person, or animal) back into an upright position, to rise again (both c1100 in Old French), to give (a person or part of the body) ease or relief from pain or discomfort (c1155 with a person as object, early 15th cent. with the body as object), to restore to prosperity, to restore (a person) to his or her former position (both late 12th cent.), to raise from the dead (1230 or earlier in Anglo-Norman in relever de mort ), to rise from the dead (second quarter of the 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman, originally and chiefly with reference to Christ's resurrection), to make stand out, to render prominent or distinct (late 13th cent. in an apparently isolated attestation, subsequently from 1608), to take up or hold (a feudal estate) from a superior, especially through payment of a relief (end of the 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), to rebel, rise up against (beginning of the 14th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman in relever countre , relever encountre , originally in figurative use with reference to rebellion against the Holy Spirit), to rebuild (14th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), to put into a higher position (late 14th cent.), to reinvigorate (1403), to set free, release (a1443 or earlier in Anglo-Norman), to free from an obligation (1549; 1740 with respect to solemn promises or vows), to make higher (1573), to replace (a dish) with another (1671) and its etymon classical Latin relevāre to reduce the load of, to make (a load) less heavy, to lighten, to ease, refresh, to free from anxiety, to free from an expense, to free of guilt, to exonerate, to alleviate, to reduce, to lessen in force, to raise, lift, in post-classical Latin also to take up a feudal inheritance by payment of a relief (frequently from 11th cent. in British sources), to rebuild (12th cent.; frequently from 13th cent. in British sources), to release, discharge (a person) (13th cent.) < re- re- prefix + levāre (see leve v.3). In later use (in senses not paralleled in French or Latin) partly after corresponding senses of relief n.2; in sense 13b, which is not paralleled in French, after relief n.3 Compare later relevate v., and also elevate v.Compare Old Occitan relevar , Catalan rellevar (14th cent.), Spanish relevar (a1250), Portuguese relevar (1384), Italian rilevare (a1292; also †relevare ), which show a similar range of meanings. Sense 3c is apparently not paralleled in French; however, compare Middle French relever (of a wild animal) to come out of the forest or bush in order to search for food (second half of the 14th cent.). The Older Scots forms releyit , releyt (see α. forms) show loss of the intervocalic fricative; compare Scots deil , variant of devil n., and see discussion at that entry. The γ. forms of northern origin (as also forms in -f in the δ. list) show the usual devoicing of final -v (after final -e ceased to be pronounced), a process which occurred in northern Middle English and Older Scots in the 13th cent.; sporadic γ. forms from other areas are probably result from association with relief n.2 or (in sense 13) relief n.3
I. Senses relating to easing or assisting.
1.
a. transitive. To ease (a person, the mind, etc.) from sorrow, fear, doubt, or some other source of mental discomfort; (now) esp. to cause to feel less distressed, worried, or anxious.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > overweening or presumption > be overweening or presumptuous [verb (reflexive)]
relievea1382
presumec1425
pressc1480
bear1603
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve of suffering
lighteOE
unbindc950
alightOE
slakea1300
deliverc1325
covera1375
lissec1374
relievea1382
allegea1425
refreshc1430
alighten1530
untaste1609
mitigate1644
disaffright1676
soothe1746
shrive1899
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 3 Kings xii. 10 Þi fadir agreggyde oure ȝoc; þou releeue [L. releva] vs.
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 1042 And ek þe bet from sorwe hym to releue, She made hym were a pencel of here sleue.
c1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Tiber.) 19399 (MED) O Sathan, thi displesaunce Was to me fful greet plesaunce, Releuynge me off my distresse.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 714 King Edward..was releeued of the most part, of his pricking feare, and inwarde suspicion.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) Epil. 16 My ending is despaire, Vnlesse I be relieu'd by praier. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 460 This only hope relieves me, that the strife With me hath end. View more context for this quotation
1746 J. Wesley Princ. Methodist farther Explain'd 50 To think or say, ‘There are Demoniacks now, and they are now reliev'd by Prayer,’ is Enthusiasm.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiv. vii. 161 I bring News very unlikely to relieve you.
1801 Lusignan IV. 110 Relieve me, I conjure you, from this cruel incertitude!
1847 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Peru II. iv. v. 162 There was one..who relieved his bosom by revealing the whole plot to his confessor.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xxvii. 390 Proofs which should relieve my mind of all doubt upon the subject.
1907 E. M. Forster Longest Journey xxix. 288 It relieved her to listen to a man who told her..not to buy artificial manure ready made.
1923 J. Conrad Let. 4 Dec. (1956) 297 It relieved me thoroughly, because the belief in the..honesty of your judgment has been one of the mainstays of my literary life.
2002 Wall St. Jrnl. 9 Apr. b13/1 Analysts were relieved by the revenue performance... ‘It was a nice, in-line quarter.’
b. transitive. To give (a person, part of the body) ease or relief from physical pain or discomfort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > [verb (reflexive)]
relievea1382
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Deut. xxiii. 13 Þou shalt delue..& þe defyed out þou shalt couere wiþ erþe in þe whiche þou ert releued [a1425 L.V. releuyd, L. relevatus; a1425 Corpus Oxf., E.V. continues or dischargid of thi kindeli birthen].
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 85v To putte of defnes or to be releued [L. releuandam], many þingis helpiþ.
?a1450 tr. Macer Herbal (Stockh.) (1949) 190 (MED) Baldemoyne heliþ þe herte, releueþ þe brest, and norissh þe stomak.
c1480 (a1400) St. Adrian 115 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 275 Þe tyme cumis..quhene nane sal vthir relefe,..as for to les þame of [þar] payne.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Visitacion of Sicke f. xix* O Lord..beholde, visite, and releue this thy seruaunte.
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 108 Peares..rosted or sodden, relefe and lighten the stomak.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. vii. 45 Oh that there were some vertue in my teares, That might releeue you. View more context for this quotation
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) at Euphoria The Operation of a Medicine..when the Patient finds himself eas'd or reliev'd by it.
1746 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs 85 As a spacious Field, arrayed in chearful Green, relieves and re-invigorates the Eye.
1836 A. Combe Physiol. Digestion ii. vi. 322 Where..the bowels are unable to act sufficiently to relieve the system.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. xiv. 825 It is even possible to relieve a function while we continue to employ it.
1908 Good Housek. Apr. 391/1 Stretching your hand after protracted writing relieves the muscles.
1954 P. Frankau Wreath for Enemy iii. v. 235 My bladder [was] hard and painful because I needed to relieve it so badly.
1988 T. Dangarembga Nervous Conditions i. 1 The children were inclined to relieve their upset bowels on the floor.
2002 Wired July 64/2 (heading) That lubricating salve you use for relieving tired, computer-glazed eyes.
†c. transitive. To widen or open up (the barrel of a firearm); to ease by making wider. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [verb (transitive)] > make slack or not tense
resolvea1398
remit?1518
slacken1611
unstretch1611
unstrain1616
ease1627
relieve1814
untighten1836
1814 P. Hawker Instr. Young Sportsmen 11 Except being the least possible relieved towards the muzzle, it [sc. the gun] should be bored as a cylinder.
1870 Eng. Mech. 14 Oct. 92/2 The maker..will bore the barrels a trifle wider at the breech, or towards the muzzle... If the barrel is relieved any more it begins to kick.
d. transitive (reflexive). euphemistic. To defecate or urinate. Also figurative.
ΚΠ
1915 Times 13 May 6 The Germans..piled up all the eatables in a heap on the floor and relieved themselves upon it.
1931 S. Tremayne Trial A. A. Rouse 184 I wanted to relieve myself.
1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It xii. 99 There's a stomach ache of music..; it churns and stretches, trying to relieve itself.
1961 Encounter Feb. 25/1 It [sc. a kitten] learned to go down into the alley to relieve itself in the dirt there.
1977 Sunday Times 30 Jan. 30/3 I urgently wished to be alone to relieve myself (a serious problem in winter orienteering).
2004 D. Lodge Author, Author iii. iv. 298 He required some means of relieving himself..that would not entail a long walk to the lavatory.
2.
a. transitive. To ease or mitigate (pain, distress, or difficulty); to make (a condition) less burdensome.
ΚΠ
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Deut. xv. 10 Þou shalt not doon eny þyng fellych in his nedys to be releued [L. sublevandis].
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 214 Aloe..relieueþ [L. releuat] hede ache.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 3364 Al perell, al harmys, and myschef, In tyme of ned he can tham al ralef.
1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 56 Set your cure For till relief the greit penuritie Off laubouraris.
1630 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentleman 149 Would you further the poore mans cause, and see his wrongs releeved?
1662 T. Blount Boscobel (new ed.) ii. 30 Glad to releive the necessities of nature with a messe of milk.
1758 L. Carter Diary 16 Mar. (1965) I. 204 I bled to releive the Symptoms.
1776 G. White Let. 8 Jan. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 203 A shrew-ash.., when gently applied to the limbs of cattle, will immediately relieve the pains.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xx. 234 Chronic cough and long-continued congestion..were more effectually relieved by the use of sulphureous waters.
a1862 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. (1873) III. v. 308 To relieve poverty increases it, by encouraging improvidence.
1958 Nursing (St. John Ambulance Assoc.) 270 Cramp in the limbs..can often be relieved if the affected muscle is massaged.
1987 D. Poliquin Obomsawin Sioux Junction (1991) xi. 92 An experimental farm..where he could conduct his experiments..for the purpose of relieving hunger in the world.
2005 New Scientist 5 Mar. 3/2 Nerve cells that convey pain in the body..have been studied by researchers trying to relieve chronic pain.
b. transitive. To ease or alleviate (mental or emotional discomfort, anxiety, or stress); (now) esp. to release (feelings) by venting or expressing them in some manner.
ΚΠ
?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 220 (MED) Þer may no myrth my care releve.
a1513 J. Irland Meroure of Wyssdome (1965) II. 42 Send thi blist sone to me..to les and releue my hevy dolouris.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iv. 4 That old and Anticke song we heard last night; Me thought it did releeue my passion much.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. vi. 102 The final Causes of Compassion are to prevent and to relieve Misery.
1764 R. Griffith Triumvirate I. 122 Love..refreshes Labour, relieves Care, and gives Enjoyment to Possession.
1850 J. H. Newman Lect. Diffic. Anglicans (1891) I. i. ii. 59 They..relieve their feelings by gestures and cries, and startings to and fro.
1884 S. J. Reid Life Sydney Smith xiii. 342 The muttered growl with which the eclipsed poet relieved his overcharged feelings.
1941 ‘Faugh-a-Ballagh’ 34 (Advt. section) 1/2 Wrigley's helps to relieve tension and gives a sense of ease and relaxation.
1967 Brit. Jrnl. Psychiatry 113 829/2 Anti-depressants which are useful in relieving the secondary anxiety.
1980 D. Lodge How far can you Go? (1981) vi. 201 He relieved his feelings by banging the dustbin lids.
2005 Crafts Beautiful Feb. 103/2 Like all absorbing creative work it is great for relieving stress and tension.
c. transitive. To make less tiring, tedious, monotonous, or disagreeable, by the introduction of variety, or of something striking or pleasant.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > by introduction of variety or pleasure
relieve1663
1663 J. Beale Let. 14 Dec. in R. Boyle Corr. (2001) II. 231 Rasty bacon sweetened & relieved with healthfull sauces.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xlix. 188 I mean now and then to relieve the severity of your morning studies.
1782 G. Stuart Hist. Scot. II. vi. 211 He relieved..the cares of ambition with the smiles of beauty.
1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 48 Large black eyes, which.., agreeably relieved a face,..somewhat shy and sullen.
1869 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 2nd Ser. 303 No great work relieved the barrenness of the time.
1882 Cent. Mag. June 166/2 Occasionally a bit of rough horse-play or rollicking fun relieved the monotony.
1905 Baroness Orczy Scarlet Pimpernel (1906) x. 91 Dressed in deep, heavy black silk, with only a white lace kerchief to relieve the aspect of mourning about her person.
1997 Independent on Sunday 27 July (Real Life section) 11/2 Two unemployed air-guitarists who plot a bank robbery to relieve the dole's beery boredom.
3.
a. transitive. To provide for (somebody), to sustain; spec. to supply (the poor) with money or other necessities; to help in poverty or need. Occasionally intransitive with object implied. Also figurative. Cf. relief n.2 5.Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [verb (transitive)] > aid in want
helpc950
relievea1387
beeta1400
to tide over1865
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 19 (MED) Stronge men þat needeþ, Þat lond wel oft releueþ.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xiv. 70 (MED) Men þat ben ryche..haue reuthe and releue..alle manere men in meschief yfalle.
a1450 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Tanner) (1879) Prol. l. 128 Nou hath the attempre son al þat releued That naked was and clad in new agayne.
c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 224 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 135 Þe apostile..vith þat tresoure he had tane, pouer men relewit mony ane.
1586 Earl of Leicester Corr. (1844) 378 He hath had 4,000 florins in monie of me, beside other helps, and, as I am able, I will reliue him.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre i. 30 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian There being no means to releive them; Belisarius..appointed them a daily pay.
1690 J. Child Disc. Trade ii. 73 The Poor..will be immediately relieved or set on work where they are found.
1733 A. Pope Of Use of Riches 14 Is any sick? the Man of Ross relieves.
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. i. 13 Behold the hand that wrought a Nation's cure, Stretch'd to relieve the Idiot and the Poor.
1795 Act 36 Geo. III c. 23 §4 All such..Poor..Persons shall be provided for and relieved in..the same Manner as before the..passing of this Act.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iii. 39 Withered [is] the hand outstretched but to relieve.
1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table xii. 341 Gentlemen highwaymen, who pitied the poor so much they robbed the rich to have the means of relieving them.
1922 V. Woolf Jacob's Room xi. 217 The tablet set up in 1780 to the Squire of the parish who relieved the poor.
1996 Foreign Affairs (Nexis) Sept. 126 To assign government the task of relieving the indigent is reasonable.
†b. transitive. To feed; to supply with food or nourishment. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feed or nourish [verb (transitive)]
afeedeOE
foddereOE
feedc950
fosterc1175
fooda1225
nourishc1300
nurshc1325
nourishc1384
abechea1393
relievec1425
norrya1450
nurturea1450
pasturec1450
foisonc1485
bield1488
aliment1490
repast1494
nutrifya1500
repatera1522
battle1548
forage1552
nurse1591
substantiate1592
refeed1615
alumnate1656
focillate1656
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > mitigate or alleviate
lithec897
lighteOE
lissea1000
stillc1000
alightOE
alithe?a1200
softc1225
swagec1330
abate?c1335
easea1374
accoya1375
allegea1375
stintc1374
slakea1387
assuage1393
planea1400
slecka1400
plasterc1400
soften?c1415
lighten?a1425
mitigate?a1425
relievec1425
asoftc1430
alleviate?a1475
allevya1500
sletcha1500
alleve1544
allevate1570
salve?1577
sweetena1586
smooth1589
disembitter1622
deleniate1623
slaken1629
tranquillitate1657
soothe1711
c1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Vesp. B.xii) (1904) 10 (MED) Men may hunte at here bothe..In the euentyde whane þei byn releued, In the morowtyde whan þei sytte in fourme.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) xii. 375 (MED) Til the lamb be strengthed to pasture, Hym first and last his modir mylk releue.
a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 309 (MED) Þei [sc. storks] fettyn mete to her fadir & her moodir..til þei ben releuyd & mon trauaylyn to helpyn hemself.
1590 T. Cokayne Treat. Hunting C ij Your Huntsman..must be very careful that if any of his hounds bee missing, he keepe somewhat to relieue them withall.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. iv. §1. 265 They..reserued them both for the milke to releeue the children withall: and for breede to store themselues.
1698 J. Pechey Compl. Midwife's Practice (ed. 5) vii. 282 Also to the end that the Child may suck the like milk with that which relieved it in the Mothers belly.
1735 Sportsman's Dict. II. at Terms That which a hawk leaves of her prey after she is relieved.
1761 Acts & Laws New-Hampsh. 76 The creatures so impounded to be relieved with suitable meat and water.
†c. intransitive. Of a hart or hare: to feed. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating by animals > feed (of animals) [verb (intransitive)]
baitc1386
feeda1387
relievec1475
victual1577
(to be) on the feed1867
c1475 in R. Hands Eng. Hawking & Hunting (1975) 185 Fro þe Annunciacion of our lady day Þe hert releues..To Seint Petre day and paule and þe hare right Fro þe purificacion of our lady briȝt Til þe translacion releues..Of Seint Thomas tide of Caunterbure.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lx. 168 An Hare hath greater sent..when she feedeth and relieueth vpon greene corne, than at any other time of the yere.
1674 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation i. 46 Now having found where a Hare hath relieved in some Pasture or Corn-field, then must you consider the season of the year.
1750 J. S. Gardiner Art & Pleasures of Hare-hunting 41 At full Moon they [sc. young hares]..go a great Distance, relieving upon any Sort of Feed.
†d. transitive. To provide or furnish with something. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything
feather?c1225
serve?c1225
astore1297
purveya1325
purveyc1325
warnishc1330
supply1384
bego1393
garnish?a1400
stuff14..
instore1432
relievec1480
providec1485
appurvey1487
support?1507
furnishc1515
repair1518
supply1529
speed1531
help (a person) to (also with)1569
sort1598
suffice1600
enduea1616
starta1640
employ1690
find1713
to fix out1725
issue1737
service1969
c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 161 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 308 He can hym ma bischope with his handis twa..& with relykis cane hym releife.
†e. transitive. To assist with provisions, supplies, munition, etc.; to furnish with fresh troops. Also: to renew the stock of (ammunition). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > arm or equip [verb (transitive)]
weaponc1000
aturnc1220
armc1275
atil1297
attire1297
enarmc1320
apparelc1325
tirec1330
garnish?a1400
stuff?a1400
gearc1400
relieve1487
to set forthc1515
to arm out1533
munition1579
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > reinforce
enforce1340
stuffc1400
renforce?1473
relieve1487
supply1487
refreshc1500
ranforce1547
strengthen1548
re-enforce1579
reinforce1589
seconda1609
recrew1637
recruit1642
society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > practise logistics [verb (transitive)] > provision > strengthen with fresh supplies
fortify1470
renforce?1473
relieve1487
re-enforce1579
society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > practise logistics [verb (reflexive)] > supply > strengthen with fresh supplies
relieve1601
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 456 On this wise Iames of Douglas,..War weill releyit [1489 Adv. relewyt] with Armyng, With vittale als, and with clething.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cclv That he geueth them free and safe recourse throughe hys countrey, and relieue them with victualles.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 366 All the Hauens and Portes..were relieued wyth men of armes and archers.
1601 in T. Stafford Pac. Hib. ii. iv. 150 The Rebels..doe releeue themselves with such warlicke provisions as they need.
1639 R. Ward Animadversions of Warre ii. xv. ii. 2 The things necessary to be thought upon by a Generall after his Army is leavied, is provision..[of] Victualls, Monies, Powder, Shot, Artiller..&c... and how in time of want to be speedily relieved with these materials.
1750 S. M. Leake Life Sir J. Leake iii. viii. 442 In the Victualling, great Neglect,..the Ships neither cleaned nor relieved or supplied from England as the publick service required.
4.
a. transitive. To raise out of some trouble, difficulty, or danger; to bring or provide aid or assistance to; to deliver from something troublesome or oppressive. Also intransitive with object implied. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [verb (intransitive)] > help in trouble or danger
relievec1400
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [verb (transitive)] > aid in trouble or danger
help?c1225
uptakea1300
relievec1400
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. 592 (MED) Þo wrecches..hopen þat he be to come þat shal hem releue.
c1450 (c1370) G. Chaucer A.B.C (Cambr. Ff.5.30) (1878) l. 6 Help and releeue þou mihti debonayre, Haue mercy on my perilous langour.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 113 God..sall releue All Israel of thair distres.
1590 T. Lodge Rosalynde: Euphues Golden Legacie f. 2v A friend..will releeue with counsaile, or perswade with reason.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 353 This youth..I snatch'd one halfe out of the iawes of death, Releeu'd him with such sanctitie of loue [printed Ioue] . View more context for this quotation
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 100 Vpon the fourth day..there came Fisher-boates to relieue vs.
1719 D. Waterland Vindic. Christ's Divinity 195 You are straining hard for some odd, peculiar Sense of the word,..and if this does not relieve you, all is lost.
1787 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 263 Praying their Lordships to relieve him from the expenses and issue of a law-suit.
1813 Ld. Byron Giaour (ed. 3) 8 The rock relieves him from mine eye.
1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. viii. 315 No ingenuity, how subtle soever, can relieve the case from the difficulty.
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India II. vii. ii. 131 Who had called in the aid of the king of that country to relieve him from the control of Shír Khán.
1906 J. London White Fang i. 62 It was his mate who relieved him from the quandary in which he found himself. She took the rabbit from him.
2005 Jet 25 July 46 He fought a gallant struggle against a debilitating illness... In the end, God relieved him from his suffering and elevated him to his heavenly home.
b. transitive. Chiefly Law. To free or clear (a person) of or from an obligation, debt, or the like; to remit, give legal relief to. Also intransitive: to offer or provide such relief. Formerly also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > free from obligation
freeeOE
unbind1297
quitclaima1325
acquit1340
excuse1340
loose1340
releasec1350
assoil1366
soilc1384
dischargea1387
quita1387
relieve1416
absoil1440
deliver1440
acquittance1448
quiet1450
acquiet1453
absolve?a1475
defease1475
skill1481
relax1511
redeema1513
exoner1533
exonerate1548
solvec1550
distask1592
disgage1594
upsolve1601
disoblige1603
disengage1611
to get off1623
exclude1632
supersedea1644
to let off1814
to let out1869
1416 [implied in: 1416 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 54 To the whiche courte of Benecrouche many of vs vlti wynter to gedir haue ben tenantes and sevtours of Court, and ȝit be, and in the same Courte take owre charges..be twey partie, and partie releued. (at relieved adj. 1)].
1423 Petition in Fenland Notes & Queries (1907–9) 7 308 (MED) If thei be not relevyd of the seid sume, thei must nede for poverte lefe and departe fro ther tenancies.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. 291 (MED) Of my berþene late me be releued.
1517 in J. Imrie et al. Burgh Court Bk. Selkirk (1960) 43 James Ker to raleiff him of the v nobillis that Jhone Wolsone allegit the said Jhone was bund for.
1562 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. I. 221 The said William Gordoun [shall be] oblist to releve his said souerte.
1655 tr. C. Sorel Comical Hist. Francion viii. 28 I will obtain therefore Letters Patents sealed with the great Seal to relieve my self, because I have consented to give six Souses for that which is worth but four.
1682 A. Colquitt Mod. Rep. 305 You relieve against them, and look upon them to be void.
1682 A. Colquitt Mod. Rep. 306 What if two of the Trustees had died, should she never have married? Surely you would have relieved her.
1728 T. Vernon Chancery Cases II. 90 The Court upon the Hearing relieved against the Merger.
1792 Legal Recreations I. 109 He applied to the Court of Chancery to be relieved from payment of this bond.
1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. 845 If one of two co-obligants..pay the whole debt, he is entitled to be relieved to the extent of the other's share.
1876 Law Times 2 Dec. 73 Lewis..was nevertheless relieved by the court from the payment of costs.
1901 Irish Law Times 15 June 267 The Court can relieve against misrepresentations of the law if the conduct of the person seeking relief has been determined thereby.
1998 Record (Bergen County, New Jersey) (Nexis) 20 Nov. The bank agreed to stop any attempts to collect from anyone whose debt had been relieved.
c. transitive. To assist or aid in battle. Now rare except as merged with or coloured by sense 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > support
relievec1425
support1531
second1588
third1602
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. 1359 (MED) Diomede cam..To releue hem in þis sharp shour.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xi. 347 The kyng, that behynd thaim was, Suld..relief thaim vith his baneir.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 9737 Mayntene youre manhode & your men helpe, ffaris into fight your folke to releue.
1582 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 525 Be the cuming of the men of..townis adjacent rysing to the fray, the said Williame wes relevit.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. 85 [They] could not relive them, being too far engaged in their combat.
1727 S. Colliber Columna Rostrata v. 163 The earll, after an hour's fighting, was relieved by prince Rupert.
1764 W. Guthrie et al. Gen. Hist. World II. vii. v. 460 Philipæmen..who, while one of the wings was pressed by the enemy, relieved them by attacking the cavalry.
1866 E. B. Quiner Mil. Hist. Wisconsin xxiv. 634 The regiment again fell back, through the camp, fighting, until they were relieved by another line.
1913 P. Collier Germany & Germans ii. 65 At Waterloo the pummelled squares of red-coats were relieved by these Prussians.
d. transitive. To bring military support for (a besieged place); to free from siege or attack.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)] > abandon (siege) > free from siege
rescuea1382
relievea1586
disassiege1629
a1586 R. Maitland in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 311 Ȝe ar not sure..quha will cum releif ȝou and ȝe be seigit sair.
1586 Earl of Leicester Corr. (1844) 259 If he take it [sc. Berges] not in 2 dayes..I will warrant we will reliue it well enough.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 148 The Spaniards attempted againe to relieue the Castle.
a1671 T. Fairfax Short Mem. (1699) 82 Soon after Prince Rupert came to relieve the Town We raised the siege.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 29 Of all these Mistakes the French had the Advantage, for Casal was relieved.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxxi. 259 Arles..must have yielded to the assailants, had not the city been unexpectedly relieved by the approach of an Italian army.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 228 Kirke had arrived from England with troops, arms. ammunition, and provisions, to relieve the city.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People v. §1. 221 It was not till Philip had failed to relieve it that the town was starved into surrender.
1910 Encycl. Brit. VII. 488/2 In May [Cromwell] was at the siege of Lincoln, when he repulsed Goring's attempt to relieve the town.
1991 T. Pakenham Scramble for Afr. xxxiii. 609 One single company of German soldiers..rode hell for leather from the south and relieved the beleaguered forts.
5.
a. transitive. Chiefly Scottish. To set free, release. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (transitive)] > from confinement
unbindc950
to let freec1000
aletOE
to let out1154
loosea1225
slakec1374
loosen1382
to let goc1384
releasec1384
unloosec1400
unlockc1410
dissolvec1420
relievec1450
unloosen?a1475
to set at liberty1509
enlargea1513
to let at large1525
to let loose1530
to turn loose?1566
enfranchise1569
to turn up1573
enfranch1581
unkennel1589
unwind1596
to cast loosec1600
disimmure1611
disimprison1611
unhamper1620
to let abroad1633
unfold1633
disencloister1652
disencage1654
discagea1657
disincarcerate1665
eliminate1745
unspherea1806
unmew1818
unbottle1821
uncage1837
unbag1854
bust1921
c1450 King Ponthus (Digby) in Publ. Mod. Lang. Assoc. Amer. (1897) 12 8 (MED) The childre that I haue savyd schal relefe the contree.
1540 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) I. i. 228 That the king was moveid, upone sute, to releive him.
1554–9 in T. Wright Songs & Ballads Philip & Mary (1860) (Roxb.) 3 The rawnsom for ower synns, wherby we ware relyfft.
1572 Morton in 3rd Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1872) 418/2 The Maister of Forbes..is sa straitlie deteneit captive as upoun na band can he be gottin relevit.
1607 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1887) 1st Ser. VIII. 21 And endevoiring to releve oute of the same [sc. Edinburgh Castle] the said Sir James McConeill.
a1657 W. Mure Sonnet in Wks. (1898) I expected grace, To snair myselfe in hope to be reliued.
1684 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 103 Mr. Sheldon, who would..releive severall of his books that were then pawned for ale.
1749 J. Burton Genuine Jrnl. Miraculous Escape Young Chevalier 21 She was carried into the guard-room, and kept prisoner, 'till relieved by her father in law.
1774 J. Maclaurin Arguments & Decisions Remarkable Cases 33 A tuilzie or rixa, in which they mixed themselves to relieve a youth in the defunct's grips.
1815 W. Burney Falconer's New Universal Dict. Marine (rev. ed.) at Reliever It is used, on searching a gun, to relieve one or other of the springs of the searcher that may have hitched into the cavity.
1893 A. A. Adee Let. 10 Oct. in Papers Rel. Foreign Relations U. S. (1894) 259 Their incarceration in jails in California without being allowed to be relieved on bail.
1900 B. W. Richardson Disciples Æsculapius (1901) I. 259 Relieved from prison,..Brown determined to cast from his feet the dust of Edinburgh.
1922 National Geographic Mag. Dec. 645/2 Occasionally his fine would be paid and he would be relieved from custody.
b. transitive. To release (a person) from, or to free of, something onerous, esp. a duty, task, or responsibility; (also) to free of some weight or burden.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > removal from office or authority > remove from office or authority [verb (transitive)]
outOE
deposec1300
remuec1325
to put out1344
to set downc1369
deprivec1374
outputa1382
removea1382
to throw outa1382
to put downc1384
privea1387
to set adowna1387
to put out of ——?a1400
amovec1425
disappoint1434
unmakec1475
dismiss1477
dispoint1483
voidc1503
to set or put beside (or besides) the cushion1546
relieve1549
cass1550
displace1553
unauthorize1554
to wring out1560
seclude1572
eject1576
dispost1577
decass1579
overboard1585
cast1587
sequester1587
to put to grass1589
cashier1592
discompose1599
abdicate1610
unseat1611
dismount1612
disoffice1627
to take off1642
unchair1645
destitute1653
lift1659
resign1674
quietus1688
superannuate1692
derange1796
shelve1812
shelf1819
Stellenbosch1900
defenestrate1917
axe1922
retire1961
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier > disencumber or disburden
uncharge1303
ease1393
uncumberc1440
discumber?1473
exonerate1524
unlade?1529
dispatch1530
disburden1531
unburden1538
unloaden1567
free1573
disbalass1576
unload1576
disencumber1598
dispester1600
disempester1613
relieve1671
disemburden1790
1549 W. Baldwin Canticles of Salomon vi. sig. Iv Seyng what paynes she [sc. the Church] taketh..to relieue them of theyr heauy burden, [they] call her now backe agayne to preache.
1559 J. Knox Let. 29 Oct. in Wks. (1864) VI. 94 Who, I trust, shall releaf me of the presupposed jorney.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 5 When any chance Relieves me from my task of servile toyl. View more context for this quotation
1794 T. Jefferson Let. 29 Dec. in Garden Bk. (1999) 220 This relieves us from the labor & expense of cross-fences.
1798 Windsor Guide i. 9 The system..to relieve the publicans from their burthen of quartering soldiers.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxii. 205 Let me relieve you of that bundle.
1860 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 1859 29 104 Many of the..descents are so proclivitous that donkeys must be relieved of their loads.
1898 G. B. Shaw Doctors' Delusions (1932) 107 A legal procedure which relieves them [sc. doctors] from all necessity to gain our confidence.
1942 E. Waugh Put out More Flags 150 A light..counterfeit of wood which was slung on the back of his haversack, relieving him of a rifle.
1977 Hongkong Standard 14 Apr. 5/9 The scheme is aimed at relieving Police officers of the task of conducting prosecutions.
2002 Daily Mail (Nexis) 21 June 12 In exchange for a peppercorn rent, the trust would be relieved of the responsibility of caring for the building.
c. transitive. In humorous, ironic, or euphemistic use. To deprive (a person) of something, as a possession, privilege, position, etc., by removing it; (also) to dismiss from a post.
ΚΠ
1836 London & Westm. Rev. Jan. 102 Those who..will keep him [sc. the Catholic] out of mischief by kindly relieving him of his property.
1837 A. Campbell in Libr. Fiction II. 285 A picket of the enemy, one of whom..began to peel him, and in a twinkling relieved him of his coat.
1875 ‘M. Twain’ in Atlantic Monthly June 733/1 He was ‘relieved’ from duty when the boat got to New Orleans. Somebody expressed surprise at the discharge.
1966 H. Davies New London Spy (1967) 234 The art of knocking a man unconscious..and then relieving him of all his money.
1972 Newsweek 10 Jan. 11/3 Its present chief..has expelled some 3,000 members (Lascorz was relieved of his membership during a previous clean-up).
1982 E. Cashmore Black Sportsmen ii. 15 He [sc. Muhammad Ali] lost no opportunity to use his status as an ideological lever... For this he was relieved of his world title.
2001 FourFourTwo Aug. 121/3 Manager Graham Barrow recently returned from holiday to find physio Joe Hinnigan relieved from his post.
6.
a. transitive. Originally Military. To free (a person or group) from some duty by becoming or providing a substitute; to release from fighting, guarding, watching, etc., by taking over the task in question. Also in extended use, in non-military contexts. Occasionally intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > substitute [verb (transitive)] > at work
relieve?1576
spell1595
to give a spell1750
to keep or take spell1828
to take over from1916
?1576 G. Gascoigne Spoyle of Antwerpe sig. Biijv Their carelesnesse..was such that they had neuer a Corps du gard to supply and relieue their trenches.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 784 In the morning also when they releeued the watche, they heard a false alarom in the enemies campe.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 427 How late soever he sat up..overnight, he would be sure to relieve the morning watch & sentinell.
1684 tr. Siege Luxembourg 9 The Besieged (at the time we went to releive the Trenches) set Fire to the Houses.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 10 At Six, being reliev'd by the Master, he could not see the Commodore's Light.
1788 J. May Jrnl. 3 Aug. (1873) (modernized text) 96 In rowing we relieved regularly and frequently.
1823 F. Clissold Narr. Ascent Mont Blanc 20 A most laborious employment, in which the guides relieved each other every ten minutes.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. iv. 86 Her dependants one after another relieved guard..and took the cards turn about.
1856 C. Reade It is never too Late I. xi. 187 In an hour another turnkey came and relieved Hodges.
1908 K. Grahame Wind in Willows vi. 130 One fine morning the Rat, whose turn it was to go on duty, went upstairs to relieve Badger.
1987 R. Berthoud Life Henry Moore ii. 42 Henry's battalion moved up to relieve the 2nd Dismounted Cavalry.
2001 K. Lette Nip 'n' Tuck 247 Cal's been by your side constantly. We insisted on relieving him this morning.
†b. transitive. Originally Scottish. To replace (a dish) with another. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] > replace dish
relieve1698
1698 in M. Warrender Marchmont & Humes of Polwarth (1894) 184 [Bill of Fare] To relleve, hot ham and chickens.
1741 tr. Marquis d'Argens Chinese Lett. xxv. 183 These Dishes are relieved by others, twenty or twenty-four times.
1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XV lxiii. 36 There was..A turbot for relief of those who cram, Relieved with dindon à la Parigeux.
7. Baseball.
a. transitive. Of a relief pitcher: to replace (another pitcher) during a game.
ΚΠ
1887 Los Angeles Times 27 Aug. 5/2 At the fifth inning Smith relieved Hapeman as pitcher.
1897 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch 7 Apr. 5/4 Evans relieved Esper for the last four innings.
1980 R. Mayer 1937 Newark Bears v. 45 Mamaux sent Jimmy DeShong into the game to relieve Broaca and get the final out of the inning.
1991 Delaware State News 14 Aug. 19/1 Mason relieved Kipper and turned pinch-hitter Ricky Jordan's checked-swing grounder into an inning-ending double play.
b. intransitive. To enter a game as a relief pitcher; to perform the role of relief pitcher regularly.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > play baseball [verb (intransitive)] > act as relief pitcher
relieve1944
1944 Atlanta Daily World 28 Apr. 5/7 Edwards was the losing pitcher for the Monarchs, with Riley relieving in the 3rd.
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 2 f/4 Bob Apocada relieved for the Mets in the seventh.
1979 Boston Globe 10 Oct. 27/2 If the Series goes seven games, Kent Tekulve of the Pirates will relieve in seven games.
2002 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 18 Dec. c20/6 Byrd, 32, who relieved for the Braves earlier in his career, was a career-best 17-11 with Kansas City last season.
†II. Senses relating to lifting or raising.
8.
a. transitive (reflexive). To exalt (oneself); to dare, presume. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. 2628 What man that wole himself relieve To love in eny other wise..his coveitise Schal sore grieve him ate laste.
b. transitive. To lift or raise up again. Also reflexive. Obsolete (but cf. sense 4a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > raising > make to go up or cause to rise [verb (transitive)] > raise again
relievec1400
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > raising > make to go up or cause to rise [verb (transitive)] > raise > again
relievec1400
remount?c1400
re-exalt1670
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xviii. 141 (MED) Þat deth doun brouȝte, deth shal releue.
c1450 King Ponthus (Digby) in Publ. Mod. Lang. Assoc. Amer. (1897) 12 77 (MED) At the sembly wer..mony knyghtes beten doune so that they had no power to relief theym self.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 166 The kyng Eson..releued her & leyde her on a bed that was there.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. III. xxxvi. f. cliv The prease was so greate that harde it was if one were downe to be releued agayn without it were by great helpe.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) xliii. sig. Hiiii Whan he had thought to haue releued him selfe agayne out of the water.
1578 Bk. Christian Prayers in Private Prayers (1851) 441 Adam, being tumbled down..into the dungeon of shame, was releved and lift up again by thy hand, O Saviour.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 127 Th'shore; that ore his waue-worne basis bowed As stooping to releeue him. View more context for this quotation
1677 E. Coles Eng. Dict. (new ed.) Releeved up... rais'd myself up.
c. transitive. To set up or erect again. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > make vertical [verb (transitive)] > make upright or erect > a structure > again
relieve1463
relevya1642
1463–5 Rolls of Parl.: Edward IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Apr. 1463 §60. m. 44 All such weres, milles and demmynges..by the which the shippes..were letted..should be..beten downe..and..he that releeved any such nusaunce..shuld renne in the payne of a .c. marc.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 103 (MED) Troye was distroyed..yet it was relevid ageyn and sette in bettir caas thanne euir it was afore.
d. transitive. To restore, bring back into a state. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restore [verb (transitive)] > a thing to or into previous condition
reversec1350
reforma1393
recover1393
converta1425
reduce?a1425
revolve1431
returnc1436
recure?1440
remayne1481
relieve1483
redressc1500
restaur1508
reprieve?1567
recollect1606
redeem1613
regain1624
to bring back1662
re-reducea1676
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 434 b/2 Alle vi were there by the merites of saynt aulbyn releuyd into their good helthe.
1596 A. Munday tr. 1st Pt. Palmerin of Eng. xxxvi. sig. L4 By the helpe of this Gentlemans Daughter, who was..expert in the Arte of Medicine, his weake estate was releeued into indifferent good plight.
9.
a. intransitive. To rise again. Obsolete.In quot. c1500 in perfect tense formed with to be: to have risen from childbed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > rise or go up [verb (intransitive)] > again
relievec1400
remountc1425
reascendc1429
resurse1488
resurge1575
re-rise1797
the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > be confined [verb (intransitive)] > give birth > have risen from childbed
relievec1400
c1400 W. Langland Piers Plowman (Cambr. Dd.3.13) (1873) C. xxii. l. 161 (MED) Releuede [c1400 Huntington HM 137 Crist ouer-cam, rekeouered, and leyuede].
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xiv. 267 (MED) Vndir him his hors has [read was] Slayn; & Er that he Myht Relevyn Aȝen tho, Two hundred hors Ouer him gonne go.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 397 (MED) He ouer-threwe hym..and at eche tyme that he didde releve, he smote hym with his swerde to grounde.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 103 Whan the lady had ended the terme of her childbed, and that she was releuyd.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. C.vj Yf by fortune he falle, he wyll neuer releue agayne.
1573 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job lxj. 311 Gods wrath shall be as a fire to burne them vp, and when they are likely to releeue againe, it shall not be so.
b. intransitive. To return or rally in battle (cf. rely v.1 3a). Also with on, upon, to, unto. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > manoeuvre > [verb (intransitive)] > rally
recoverc1330
rely?a1400
relievec1425
re-allyc1485
rally1599
reconcentrate1884
regroupa1944
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. 4251 Þei, in soth, wer so ouerleyn Þat þei ne myȝte al þe day releve.
c1450 (?a1400) Duke Rowland & Sir Otuell (1880) 1081 (MED) Appon hym also releuede a sarazene wighte..sir Inglere for to sloo.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 1112 The knyghtes of the Rounde Table releved ever unto kynge Arthur.
a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) 5895 (MED) Dayres blew an horne that tyde, His knyghttes relevyd on euery syde.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. xiv. 16 Thai that drevyn war abak and chaste Relevis agane to the bargane in haist.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 523 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 111 Ffeile of ye falss folk yat fled of before Relevit In on yir twa.
a1700 Christis Kirk on Grene (Laing) in Stud. in Sc. Lit. (1976) 4 135 Sum fled & sum relived.
c. intransitive. To return to a previous state. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > change of direction, reversion > revert [verb (intransitive)]
awendOE
recommence1481
relieve?1510
turn1594
remigrate1601
to cast back1622
recounter1630
regress1650
retrovert1782
to turn round1802
retrogress1860
to turn back1886
U-turn1973
?1510 Treatyse Galaunt (de Worde) sig. Aivv O Englond remembre thyne olde sadnes..Exyle pryde relyeue to thy goodnes.
10.
a. transitive. To take up or hold (a feudal estate) from a superior, esp. through payment of a relief (relief n.2 1). Also intransitive. Obsolete (Scottish or historical in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of or hold as tenant [verb (transitive)] > hold of or from another > hold on conditions of service
relieve1490
to hold (lands) in vassalage1747
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) li. 196 The barons of the lande made their homage vnto sadoyne, and toke and releued their lordshippes of hym.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. 91 He had relyved the duchy of another lorde than of the Frenche kynge, of whom he ought to holde it.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. 589 The prince of Wales said to the erle of Foiz that last dyed, that he ought to releve of him.
a1726 G. Gilbert Treat. Tenures (1738) 21 The Relief was in the Nature of a new Purchase upon every Descent; for then it did again fall into the Lord's Hands, till it was relieved out of his Hands by such Payment.
1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. 156 It is called relief because, by the entry of the heir, his fee is relieved out of the hands of the superiour.
1816 J. Dunkin Hist. Bicester v. 25 When the heir came of age, and was admitted to the possession of the estate, a fine was demanded, called relief, because it relieved the lands out of the hands of the sovereign.
b. transitive. Scottish. To recover, regain (property, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > again or back
acovera1225
covera1300
gain-covera1300
to get againc1380
recovera1387
becoverc1400
recounsel?a1425
recurea1425
win1489
redeem1526
readept1537
rehave1541
recuperate1542
regain1548
reobtain1579
retire1584
reget1585
to get back1587
retrieve1589
reprise1590
reprocure1590
reattain1595
relieve1596
recompassc1604
reacquire1627
reacquist1635
recruit1656
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. ii. xxi. (1888) I. 162 Nocht onlie to releiue quhat thair he had loste [L. vt amissas recuperaret], bot to subdue quhat was nocht ȝit subduet.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 307 [The people] sent Makduff..to desyre Malcolme Canmoir..to cum hame and releife his fathiris heritage [L. ad recuperandam paterni iuris hæreditatem].
c1603–8 J. Kamington in R. Maitland Geneal. House & Surname Setoun (1830) 49 These rented relictis be hir they warre releued.
III. Senses relating to distinctness or prominence. Cf. relief n.3
†11. transitive. To bring (a matter) into prominence; to make clear or evident. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)]
uppec897
atewOE
sutelec1000
openOE
awnc1175
kithec1175
forthteec1200
tawnec1220
let witc1275
forthshowa1300
to pilt out?a1300
showa1300
barea1325
mythc1330
unfoldc1374
to open outc1390
assign1398
mustera1400
reyve?a1400
vouchc1400
manifest?a1425
outshowc1425
ostendc1429
explayc1443
objecta1500
reveala1500
patefy?1509
decipher1529
relieve1533
to set outa1540
utter1542
report1548
unbuckle1548
to set forth1551
demonstrate1553
to hold forth1560
testify1560
explicate1565
forthsetc1565
to give show of1567
denudec1572
exhibit1573
apparent1577
display?1578
carry1580
cipher1583
laya1586
foreshow1590
uncloud?1594
vision1594
explain1597
proclaim1597
unroll1598
discloud1600
remonstrate1601
resent1602
to bring out1608
palesate1613
pronounce1615
to speak out1623
elicit1641
confess1646
bear1657
breathe1667
outplay1702
to throw out1741
evolve1744
announce1781
develop1806
exfoliate1808
evince1829
exposit1882
pack1925
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. ii. i. 131 For þir ressouns he was constrenit to releve [v.r. Reveill] þe mater, quhilk he wald neuer haue done [etc.].
1566 Lethington in Burnet Hist. Ref. (1679) I. Rec. iii. 269 An Instrument to relieve the Truth, and to confound false Surmises.
†12. transitive. To raise up, make higher. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > make high(er) [verb (transitive)]
biga1400
risea1400
raise?a1425
inheynec1475
height1530
heighten1530
relieve1661
upshoot1804
pinnacle1816
1661 S. Morgan Sphere of Gentry iii. v. 45 The adorning of the Helmet with Crest or Cognizance..being releived and raised up to be known in fight.
13.
a. transitive. To make (a thing) stand out; to render prominent or distinct; to bring into relief. Also figurative. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be or make visible [verb (transitive)] > make distinct > by contrast
relieve1700
project1832
pinpoint1943
1700 J. Elsum Epigrams Paintings Eminent Masters xcii. 71 Her Flesh soft, tender..reliev'd, and made to seem more round, By noble Contours, and a Shade profound.
1778 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) viii. 485 To Ariadne is given (say the critics) a red scarf, to relieve the figure from the sea which is behind her.
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella I. i. viii. 307 The style of poetry..must be raised or relieved, as it were, upon the prevailing style of social intercourse.
1851 J. Ruskin Stones of Venice (1874) I. Pref. 6 The twilight relieving in purple masses the foliage on the Island.
1875 A. C. Swinburne Ess. Chapman 27 To relieve against the broad mass..of outer life the solitary process of that inward..tragedy.
1907 Amer. Rev. of Reviews Dec. 695/1 A head..with its full volume of rotundity is relieved..in a masterly manner.
1936 Times 25 Feb. 12 ‘Summer Flowers’, instead of being relieved against the background, are related to it by dappling the green with touches of shade.
b. intransitive. To stand out in relief. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > be clearly visible > by contrast
relieve1795
to stand out1835
lift1912
1795 Pract. Treat. Painting Oil-colours 202 Dark objects relieve also well on the foreground, or elsewhere, when those behind them are light.
1812 Examiner 25 May 328/1 Brilliant lights relieving from a large proportion of half tints.
1883 Harper's Mag. Aug. 401/1 Relieving dark against their white walls were lines of troops.
1909 A. H. Thayer Concealing-coloration in Animal Kingdom xxi. 138 When the zebra stands amid lower reeds..with its upper parts relieving against the sky.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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