Relief
King James Dictionary [1]
RELIE'F, n.
1. The removal, in whole or in part, of any evil that afflicts the body of mind the removal or alleviation of pain, grief, want, care, anxiety, toil or distress, or of any thing oppressive or burdensome, by which some ease is obtained. Rest gives relief to the body when weary an anodyne gives relief from pain the sympathy of friends affords some relief to the distressed a loan of money to a man embarrassed may afford him a temporary relief medicines which will not cure a disease, sometimes give a partial relief. A complete relief from the troubles of life is never to be expected. 2. That which mitigates or removes pain, grief or other evil. 3. The dismission of a sentinel from his post, whose place is supplied by another soldier also, the person who takes his place. 4. In sculpture, &c. the projecture or prominence of a figure above or beyond the ground or plane on which it is formed. Relief is of three kinds high relief alto relievo low relief basso relievo and demi relief demi relievo. The difference is in the degree of projecture. High relief is formed from nature, as when a figure projects as much as the life. 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. 5. In painting, the appearance of projection, or the degree of boldness which a figure exhibits to the eye at a distance. 6. 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 taking up the estate which, on strict feudal principles, had lapsed or fallen to the lord on the death of the tenant. This relief consisted of horses, arms, money and the like, the amount of which was originally arbitrary, but afterwards fixed at a certain rate by law. It is not payable, unless the heir at the death of his ancestor had attained to the age of twenty one years. 7. A remedy, partial or total, for any wrong suffered redress indemnification. He applied to chancery, but could get no relief. He petitioned the legislature and obtained relief. 8. The exposure of any thing by the proximity of something else.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [2]
"ministry," is translated "relief" in Acts 11:29 [RV, marg., "for (eis) ministry"].
"a loosening, relaxation" (akin to aniemi, "to send away, let go, loosen"), is translated "relief" in 2—Corinthians 2:13; 7:5 (AV, "rest"). See Rest.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) That which removes or lessens evil, pain, discomfort, uneasiness, etc.; that which gives succor, aid, or comfort; also, the person who relieves from performance of duty by taking the place of another; a relay.
(2): ( n.) A fine or composition which the heir of a deceased tenant paid to the lord 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.
(3): ( n.) The projection of a figure above the ground or plane on which it is formed.
(4): ( n.) The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure.
(5): ( n.) The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the ditch.
(6): ( n.) Release from a post, or from the performance of duty, by the intervention of others, by discharge, or by relay; as, a relief of a sentry.
(7): ( n.) The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; the removal, or partial removal, of any evil, or of anything oppressive or burdensome, by which some ease is obtained; succor; alleviation; comfort; ease; redress.
(8): ( n.) The elevations and surface undulations of a country.
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [4]
A species of Dissenters in Scotland, whose only difference from the Scotch established church is the choosing their own pastors. They were separated from the church in the year 1752, occasioned by Mr. Thomas Gillespie being deposed for refusing to assist at the admission of a minister to a parish who were unwilling to receive him. When Mr. Gillespie was deprived of his parish, he removed to Dumferline, and preached there to a congregation who were attached to him, and vehemently opposed the law of patronage. Being excluded from the communion of the church, he, with two or three other ministers, constituted themselves into a presbytery, called the Presbytery of Relief; willing to afford relief to all "who adhered to the constitution of their church of Scotland, as exhibited in her creeds, canons, confessions, and forms of worship." They are unwilling, it is said, to be reckoned seceders. Their licentiates are educated under the established church professors, whose certificates they acknowledge. Many of their people receive the Lord's supper with equal readiness in the established church as in their own. The relief synod consists of about sixty congregations, and about 36, 000 persons.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [5]
Prominence of a sculpture from a plain surface; works in relief are of three kinds: alto-relievo , high relief; mezzo-relievo , medium relief; basso-relievo , low relief.
