re·lie·vo
(rĭ-lḗvō)
[Italian rilievo; see bas-relief.]
noun: pl., -vos.
- See relief
re·lief
(rĭ-lēf́)
[Middle English, from Old French, from relever, to relieve; see relieve, Senses 6, 7, and 8, French, from Italian rilievo; see bas-relief.]
noun
- The easing of a burden or distress, such as pain, anxiety, or oppression.
- Something that alleviates pain or distress.
- Public assistance.
- Aid in time of danger, especially rescue from siege.
- Release from a post or duty, as that of sentinel.
- One who releases another by taking over a post or duty.
- A pleasant or amusing change; a diversion.
- The projection of figures or forms from a flat background, as in sculpture, or the apparent projection of such shapes in a painting or drawing.
- A work of art featuring such projection. Also called relievo
- Geology The variations in elevation of an area of the earth's surface.
- Distinction or prominence due to contrast: “The light brought the white church . . . into relief from the flat ledges” (Willa Cather)
- Law Redress awarded by a court.
- Baseball The pitching done by a relief pitcher: gave the team two innings of excellent relief.
- A payment made by the heir of a deceased tenant to a feudal lord for the privilege of succeeding to the tenant's estate.
idioms
- on relief
- Receiving public assistance because of need or poverty.