relief

plural reliefs

1. countableuncountableThe removal of stress or discomfort.

   I sighed with relief when I found out that my daughter hadn't got lost, but was waiting for me at home.

   1 more example

   Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness,[…]. It was with a palpable relief that he heard the first warning notes of the figure.

   1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC

   Synonyms: ease, alleviation, liss, respite, alleviation, comfort, consolation, ease

2. countableuncountableThe feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort.

   DfT's action was greeted with great relief in many quarters.

   2020 April 8, Philip Haigh, “Out of the current crisis we could see meaningful changes”, in Rail, page 56

   1 more example

   Tony's face expressed relief, and Nettie sat silent for a moment until the vicar said “It was a generous impulse, but it may have been a momentary one,[…].”

   1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC

   Synonyms: ease, alleviation, liss, mercy

3. countableuncountableRelease from a post or duty, as when replaced by another.
4. countableuncountableThe person who takes over a shift for another.

   Officer Schmidt can finally go home because his relief has arrived.

   1 more example

   At Leeds a relief crew was waiting—but without a relief locomotive; after some discussion, the new men offered to take on the A3. [...].

   1963 February, “Motive Power Miscellany: London Midland Region”, in Modern Railways, page 136

   Synonyms: stand-in, substitute, backup, fill-in

5. countableuncountableAid or assistance offered in time of need.

   Relief arrived quickly after the disaster.

   1 more example

   On busy days, they also may be seen bowling along the Brighton main line, north of Keymer Junction, with a relief Newhaven boat express, […].

   1950 November, R. A. H. Weight, “A Railway Recorder in Southern England”, in Railway Magazine, page 772

6. countableuncountablegovernmentMilitary assistance to break a siege or an encirclement.
7. countableuncountablelawCourt-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress.

   Synonyms: amends, recompense, remuneration, amends, acquittal, assyth, bote, compensation

8. countableuncountableA lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief.
9. countableuncountableA certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor.
10. countableuncountablegolfPermission for a player to move their ball to a more convenient spot before taking a shot, under certain circumstances.
11. AustraliaNew ZealandabbreviationcolloquialcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of relief teacher.

    Do we have a relief for maths today?

plural reliefs

1. uncountableA method of sculpture or other artwork in which shapes or figures protrude from a flat background.
2. countableA sculpture or other artwork made with such a method.

   Synonyms: embossing

3. countableuncountableThe apparent difference in elevation in the surface of a painting or drawing made noticeable by a variation in light or color.
4. countableuncountableThe difference of elevations on a surface.

   the relief on that part of the Earth's surface

   1 more example

   The approach to Newcastle (Central) Station from the north after a heavy snowfall. The complicated track layout is thrown into clear relief by the snow [referring to dark rails poking through the snow]

   1947 January and February, “A Winter's Day on the Tyneside”, in Railway Magazine, page 29, photo caption

   Synonyms: texture, topography

5. countableuncountableRelative distinctness, perceived difference due to contrast.

   And is it that the haze of grief ⁠Hath stretch’d my former joy so great? ⁠The lowness of the present state, That sets the past in this relief?

   1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXIV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 41

6. countableuncountablegovernmentThe supposed projection of a charge from the surface of a field, indicated by shading on the sinister and lower sides.

comparative more relief · superlative most relief

1. Characterized by surface inequalities.
2. Of or used in letterpress.