re·lieve / riˈlēv/ • v. [tr.] 1. cause (pain, distress, or difficulty) to become less severe or serious: the drug was used to promote sleep and to relieve pain. ∎  (usu. be relieved) cause (someone) to stop feeling distressed or anxious about something: he was relieved by her change of tone. ∎  make less tedious or monotonous by the introduction of variety or of something striking or pleasing: the bird's body is black, relieved only by white under the tail.2. release (someone) from duty by taking their place: another signalman relieved him at 5:30. ∎  bring military support for (a besieged place): he dispatched an expedition to relieve the city. ∎ Baseball (of a relief pitcher) take the place of (another pitcher) during a game.3. (relieve someone of) take (a burden) from someone: he relieved her of her baggage. ∎  free someone from (a tiresome responsibility): she relieved me of the household chores. ∎  used euphemistically to indicate that someone has been deprived of something: he was relieved of his world title.4. (relieve oneself) urinate or defecate (used euphemistically).5. archaic make (something) stand out: the twilight relieving in purple masses the foliage of the island.DERIVATIVES: re·liev·a·ble adj.re·liev·ed·ly / riˈlēvədlē/ adv.re·liev·er n.

relieve assist in trouble or difficulty XIV; ease, mitigate XV; (Sc.) release XVI; (after RELIEF1) release from guard or watch XVII; (after RELIEF2) bring into relief XVIII. ME. releve — (O)F. relever :- L. relevāre raise again. succour, alleviate, f. RE- + levāre raise, f. levis LIGHT2.