Relief has one root idea — lifting — that splits into two pictures. Picture One: a heavy weight pressing on you, and then it's lifted off; that easing of pressure gives the everyday meaning of relief (the calm feeling when worry, pain, or danger lifts) and stretches to the help that lifts a burden off people in need, and to the person who lifts the off a tired worker. Picture Two: the same 'lifting' done physically on a flat surface — a design raised so it stands up off the stone — which gives relief sculpture, raised map terrain, and the idea of making something 'stand out' against its background.
From the word’s history
Relief comes from Latin relevare 'to raise again, lighten' (re- + levare 'to lift'). Both modern strands keep that core 'lifting': lifting a burden off a person (ease/help) and lifting a design up off a flat surface (relief sculpture, raised terrain).
relief 來自拉丁文 relevare，意思是「再次抬起、減輕」（re- 加上 levare「抬起」）。現代兩條線都還保留這個「抬起」的核心：把重擔從人身上抬走（寬慰、援助），以及把圖案從平面上抬起來（浮雕、凸起的地勢）。
Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), 'relief' / 'relieve' < Latin relevare
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原始詞典資料19 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，摘錄並精簡格式，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
reliefnoun詞源 1/rɪˈliːf/
- 1
The removal of stress or discomfort.
- I sighed with relief when I found out that my daughter hadn't got lost, but was waiting for me at home.
- Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness,[…]. It was with a palpable relief that he heard the first warning notes of the figure.
- 2
The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort.
- Tony's face expressed relief, and Nettie sat silent for a moment until the vicar said “It was a generous impulse, but it may have been a momentary one,[…].”
- DfT's action was greeted with great relief in many quarters.
- 3
Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another.
- 4
The person who takes over a shift for another.
- Officer Schmidt can finally go home because his relief has arrived.
- At Leeds a relief crew was waiting—but without a relief locomotive; after some discussion, the new men offered to take on the A3. [...].
- 5
Aid or assistance offered in time of need.
- Relief arrived quickly after the disaster.
- On busy days, they also may be seen bowling along the Brighton main line, north of Keymer Junction, with a relief Newhaven boat express, […].
- 6
governmentmilitarypoliticsMilitary assistance to break a siege or an encirclement.
- 7
lawCourt-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress.
- 8
A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief.
另外 2 個記錄的用法
- 9
A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor.
- 10
golfhobbieslifestylePermission for a player to move their ball to a more convenient spot before taking a shot, under certain circumstances.
reliefnoun詞源 2/rɪˈliːf/
- 1
A method of sculpture or other artwork in which shapes or figures protrude from a flat background.
- 2
A sculpture or other artwork made with such a method.
- 3
The apparent difference in elevation in the surface of a painting or drawing made noticeable by a variation in light or color.
- 4
The difference of elevations on a surface.
- the relief on that part of the Earth's surface
- The approach to Newcastle (Central) Station from the north after a heavy snowfall. The complicated track layout is thrown into clear relief by the snow [referring to dark rails poking through the snow]
- 5
Relative distinctness, perceived difference due to contrast.
- And is it that the haze of grief Hath stretch’d my former joy so great? The lowness of the present state, That sets the past in this relief?
- 6
governmentheraldryhobbiesThe supposed projection of a charge from the surface of a field, indicated by shading on the sinister and lower sides.
reliefadj詞源 2/rɪˈliːf/
- 1
Characterized by surface inequalities.
- 2
Of or used in letterpress.
這個拼法也被記錄為下列字的變化形：
- relief teacher
摘錄自 英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary，已精簡格式；依 CC BY-SA 4.0 授權使用，改動後的內容同樣以此授權提供。