Definition of: relieve

(ri·lēv′) v.t. ·lieved, ·liev·ing
1. To free wholly or partly from pain, embarrassment, etc.
2. To lessen or alleviate, as pain or anxiety.
3. To give aid or assistance to: to relieve a besieged city.
4. To free from obligation, injustice, etc.
5. To release from duty, as a sentinel, by providing or serving as a substitute.
6. To make less monotonous, harsh, or unpleasant; vary.
7. To bring into relief or prominence; display by contrast. See synonyms under ALLAY, ALLEVIATE, RELAX. [<OF relever give assistance to, succor <L relevare lift up <re- again + levare lift, raise <levis light]
—re·liev′a·ble adjective
—re·liev′er noun