Re-lief', n.
(re-leef'), n. [Eng. relieve, q. v.; O. Fr. relief, an act of faith and homage by which the heir took up a lapsed fief, restitution, N. Fr., embossed work; It. rilievo, Sp. relieve, raised work. Cf. BASS-RELIEF.]
Sense 1. The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; the removal of any evil, or of any thing oppressive or burdensome, by which some ease is obtained; succor; comfort; ease; redress.
He sees the dire contagion spread so fast, That where it seizes, all relief is vain. Dryden.
Sense 2. Release from a post, or from the performance of duty, by the intervention of others, by discharge, or by relay.
For this relief much thanks; 'tis bitter cold. Shak.
Sense 3. That which relieves or gives succor, aid, or comfort; those who relieve from performance of duty by taking the place of such as perform it; a relay.
Sense 4. (Feudal Law.) A fine or composition which the heir of a deceased tenant paid to the lord, at the death of the ancestor, for the privilege of taking up the estate, which, on strict feudal principles, had lapsed or fallen to the lord on the death of the tenant.
Sense 5. (Sculp. & Arch.) The projecture or prominence of a figure above or beyond the ground or plane on which it is formed.
❧ Relief is of three kinds, namely, high-relief (alto rilievo), low-relief, or bass-relief (basso-rilievo), and demi-relief (demi-rilievo). The difference is in the degree of projecture. High relief is formed from nature, as when a figure stands completely out from the ground, being attached to it in only a few places. Low relief is when the figure projects but little, as in medals, festoons, foliages, and other ornaments. Demi-relief is when one half of the figure rises from the plane. Brande.
Sense 6. (Paint.) The appearance of projection, or the degree of boldness which a figure exhibits to the eye at a distance.
Sense 7. (Fort.) The height of a parapet above the bottom of the ditch belonging to it.
Sense 8. (Physical Geog.) The elevations and surface undulations of a country. Guyot.