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.
