n. The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved: the removal, in whole or in part, of any pain, oppression, or burden, so that some ease is obtained; alleviation; succor; comfort.n. That which mitigates or removes pain, grief, want, or other evil.n. In Great Britain, assistance given under the poor-laws to a pauper: as, to administer outdoor relief.n. Release from a post of duty by a substitute or substitutes, who may act either permanently or temporarily; especially, the going off duty of a sentinel or guard whose place is supplied by another soldier.n. One who relieves another, as from a post of duty; a soldier who relieves another who is on guard; collectively, a company of soldiers who relieve others who are on guard.n. In sculp., arch., etc., the projection (in painting, the apparent projection) of a figure or feature from the ground or plane on which it is formed.n. A work of art or decoration in relief of any of the varieties described above.n. In heraldry the supposed projection of a charge from the surface of the field, represented by shading with a heavier bounding-line on the sinister side and toward the base than on the dexter Side and toward the chief.n. In physical geography, the form of the surface of any part of the earth, considered in the most general way, and with special regard to differences of elevation: little used except in the name relief-map, by which is meant a geographical or geological map in which the form of the surface is expressed by elevations and depressions of the material used.n. In fortification, the perpendicular height of the interior crest of the parapet above the bottom of the ditch.n. Prominence or distinctness given to anything by something presenting a contrast to it, or brought into close relation with or proximity to it; a contrast.n. In hunting, a note sounded on the horn on reaching home after the chase.n. What is picked up; fragments left; broken meat given in alms.n. In law, that which a eourt of justice awards to a suitor as redress for the grievance of which he complains.n. In feudal law, a fine or composition which the heir of a tenant holding by knight's service or other tenure paid to the lord at the death of the ancestor, for the privilege of succeeding to the estate, which, on strict feudal principles, had lapsed or fallen to the lord on the death of the tenant.n. Synonyms Mitigation.n. Help, aid, support.n. A portion that is elevated above the general surface; a ridge, hill, or mountain.n. In mineralogy, the character of the surface of a thin section of a mineral as shown under a microscope, depending on its refractive power relative to that of the substance in which it is embedded.
