relief

n 1: the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed

or reduced; "as he heard the news he was suddenly

flooded with relief" [syn: {alleviation}, {assuagement}]

2: the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially

after being relieved of distress); "he enjoyed his relief

from responsibility"; "getting it off his conscience gave

him some ease" [syn: {ease}]

3: (law) redress awarded by a court; "was the relief supposed

to be protection from future harm or compensation for past

injury?"

4: sculpture in which the figures are raised above a

surrounding flat plane [syn: {embossment}, {relievo}, {rilievo}]

5: someone who takes the place of another (as when things get

dangerous or difficult); "the star had a stand-in for

dangerous scenes"; "we need extra employees for summer

fill-ins" [syn: {stand-in}, {substitute}, {backup}, {backup

man}, {fill-in}]

6: assistance in time of difficulty; "the contributions

provided some relief for the victims" [syn: {succor}, {succour},

{ministration}]

7: a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more

when they take time for short rests" [syn: {respite}, {rest},

{rest period}]

8: a change for the better [syn: {easing}, {moderation}]

9: aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped; "he has been on

relief for many years"

10: the act of reducing something unpleasant as pain; "he asked

the nurse for relief from the constant pain" [syn: {easing},

{alleviation}]

11: shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the

background [syn: {relievo}]

12: the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged;

"he asked for troops for the relief of Atlanta"