relieve

The story

1. Latin · derived fromrelevo“to lift up, lighten, relieve, alleviate”
2. Old French · derived fromrelever
3. Middle English · inherited fromreleven
4. English todayrelieve

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.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.
• from 14th c. To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.
• from 14th c. To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).
• from 14th c. To provide comfort or assistance to (someone in need, especially in poverty).
• 15th–17th c. To lift up; to raise again.
• from 15th c. To raise (someone) out of danger or from (a specified difficulty etc.).
• from 15th c. To free (someone) from debt or legal obligations; to give legal relief to.
• from 16th c. To bring military help to (a besieged town); to lift the siege on.