relieve
UK: rɪˈliːv | US: rɪˈliːv
vt. to alleviate or remove (pain, distress, or difficulty)
vt. to take over a duty or role from someone temporarily
vt. to free someone from an obligation or burden
relieve = re<again> + liev<lighten> + e<verb suffix>
- re: Prefix meaning "again" or "back," from Latin re-.
- liev: Root derived from Latin levare ("to lighten, raise"), related to levis ("light" in weight).
- e: A verb-forming suffix (no standalone meaning).
Etymology Origin:
The word "relieve" traces back to Latin relevare ("to lift up, lighten"), combining re- (indicating repetition or reversal) and levare ("to make lighter"). Over time, Old French relever evolved into Middle English relieven, retaining the core idea of "lessening a burden." The modern sense of "alleviating pain" or "replacing someone in duty" reflects the original concept of lifting weight—whether physical or metaphorical.
The medicine helped relieve her headache.
The guard was relieved at midnight by his colleague.
Volunteering can relieve stress and improve mental health.
The new policy aims to relieve financial pressure on low-income families.
His apology did little to relieve her anger.