[rɪˈliːv], (Verb)

Definitions:
- cause (pain, distress, or difficulty) to become less severe or serious
(e.g: the drug was used to promote sleep and to relieve pain)

- release (someone) from duty by taking their place
(e.g: another signalman relieved him at 5.30)

- take (a burden) from someone
(e.g: he relieved her of her baggage)

- make less tedious or monotonous by the introduction of variety
(e.g: the bird's body is black, relieved only by white under the tail)

- used as a formal or euphemistic expression for urination or defecation
(e.g: train your dog to relieve itself where you want it to)

- make (something) stand out
(e.g: the twilight relieving in purple masses the foliage of the island)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French relever, from Latin relevare, from re- (expressing intensive force) + levare ‘raise’ (from levis ‘light’)