Relief - Definition

n 1: the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed
or reduced; "as he heard the news he was suddenly flooded
with relief" [syn: relief, alleviation, assuagement]
2: the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially
after being relieved of distress); "he enjoyed his relief
from responsibility"; "getting it off his conscience gave him
some ease" [syn: relief, ease]
3: (law) redress awarded by a court; "was the relief supposed to
be protection from future harm or compensation for past
injury?"
4: someone who takes the place of another (as when things get
dangerous or difficult); "the star had a stand-in for
dangerous scenes"; "we need extra employees for summer fill-
ins" [syn: stand-in, substitute, relief, reliever,
backup, backup man, fill-in]
5: assistance in time of difficulty; "the contributions provided
some relief for the victims" [syn: relief, succor,
succour, ministration]
6: a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when
they take time for short rests" [syn: respite, rest,
relief, rest period]
7: a change for the better [syn: easing, moderation,
relief]
8: aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped; "he has been on
relief for many years"
9: the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or
annoyance); "he asked the nurse for relief from the constant
pain" [syn: easing, easement, alleviation, relief]
10: sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to
stand out from the surrounding background [syn: relief,
relievo, rilievo, embossment, sculptural relief]
11: the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged;
"he asked for troops for the relief of Atlanta"