relieve

[ri-leev] /rɪˈliv/
verb (used with object), relieved, relieving.
1.
to ease or alleviate (pain, distress, anxiety, need, etc.).
2.
to free from anxiety, fear, pain, etc.
3.
to free from need, poverty, etc.
4.
to bring effective aid to (a besieged town, military position, etc.).
5.
to ease (a person) of any burden, wrong, or oppression, as by legal means.
6.
to reduce (a pressure, load, weight, etc., on a device or object under stress):
to relieve the steam pressure; to relieve the stress on the supporting walls.
7.
to make less tedious, unpleasant, or monotonous; break or vary the sameness of:
curtains to relieve the drabness of the room.
8.
to bring into relief or prominence; heighten the effect of.
9.
to release (one on duty) by coming as or providing a substitute or replacement.
10.
Machinery.
  1. to free (a closed space, as a tank, boiler, etc.) of more than a desirable pressure or vacuum.
  2. to reduce (the pressure or vacuum in such a space) to a desirable level.
11.
Baseball. to replace (a pitcher).
verb (used without object), relieved, relieving.
12.
Baseball. to act as a relief pitcher:
He relieved in 52 games for the Pirates last season.
Idioms
13.
to relieve oneself, to urinate or defecate.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English releven < Middle French relever to raise < Latin relevāre to reduce the load of, lighten, equivalent to re- re- + levāre to raise, derivative of levis light in weight
Related forms
relievable, adjective
relievedly
[ri-lee-vid-lee] /rɪˈli vɪd li/ (Show IPA), adverb
nonrelieving, adjective
quasi-relieved, adjective
unrelievable, adjective
unrelieved, adjective
unrelievedly, adverb
unrelieving, adjective
Synonyms
1. mitigate, assuage, allay, lighten, lessen, abate, diminish. See comfort. 1-4. aid, help, assist. 3. support, sustain. 4. succor.
Antonyms
1. intensify.
British Dictionary definitions for relieve oneself

relieve

/rɪˈliːv/
verb (transitive)
1.
to bring alleviation of (pain, distress, etc) to (someone)
2.
to bring aid or assistance to (someone in need, a disaster area, etc)
3.
to take over the duties or watch of (someone)
4.
to bring aid or a relieving force to (a besieged town, city, etc)
5.
to free (someone) from an obligation
6.
to make (something) less unpleasant, arduous, or monotonous
7.
to bring into relief or prominence, as by contrast
8.
(foll by of) (informal) to take from: the thief relieved him of his watch
9.
relieve oneself, to urinate or defecate
Derived Forms
relievable, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French relever, from Latin relevāre to lift up, relieve, from re- + levāre to lighten
Word Origin and History for relieve oneself

relieve

v.

late 14c., "alleviate (pain, etc.), mitigate; afford comfort; allow respite; diminish the pressure of," also "give alms to, provide for;" also figuratively, "take heart, cheer up;" from Old French relever "to raise, relieve" (11c.) and directly from Latin relevare "to raise, alleviate, lift up, free from a burden," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + levare "to lift up, lighten," from levis "not heavy" (see lever).

The notion is "to raise (someone) out of trouble." From c.1400 as "advance to the rescue in battle;" also "return from battle; recall (troops)." Meaning "release from duty" is from early 15c. Related: relieved; relieving.

relieve oneself in Medicine

relieve re·lieve (rĭ-lēv')
v. re·lieved, re·liev·ing, re·lieves

  1. To cause a lessening or alleviation of something, such as pain, tension, or a symptom.

  2. To free an individual from pain, anxiety, or distress.

re·liev'a·ble adj.
re·liev'er n.
Idioms and Phrases with relieve oneself

relieve oneself

Urinate or defecate, as in The puppy relieved itself in the middle of the floor. The use of relieve for these bodily functions dates from the mid-1800s.