rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrelieveEasing a burden
verb

relieve

rih-LEEV/rɪˈliːv/

To make an unpleasant condition easier to bear.

He relieves her burden by taking the heavy box.

An East Asian man takes a heavy box from an exhausted older Latina woman, reducing her burden.
Etymology
reLatinperhaps adds emphasis
+lieveLatinto lift up, lighten

The underlying image is lifting people out of trouble or freeing them from a burden, with re- perhaps adding emphasis. Relieving pain or worry makes that burden lighter.

In context

PhysioPathoPharmaco0:47
treatment involves surgically draining the hematoma to relieve the pressure with subdural hemorrhages blood comes from the sever bridging veins
Brain Hemorrhage - Epidural, Subdural, Subarachnoid, Intracerebral - Concisely Described

More examples

  • The extra help relieved some of our stress.
  • Nothing relieved the awkward silence.
  • The new bus route relieves traffic downtown.

Forms

relieve · relieves · relieved · relieving

relief noun — easing of pain or difficulty

Similar words

ease
Make less severe.
alleviate
Reduce suffering or difficulty.