relieve
UK[rɪˈliːv]US[rɪˈliːv]
v
to remove or reduce an unpleasant feeling or difficulty
v
to replace someone when they have been on duty, or to be replaced by someone
v
to free a town or fort from enemy forces that have surrounded it
Morpheme Breakdown
re
lieve
re
again
lieve
to lift, lighten, raise
Etymology
The word 'relieve' originates from the Latin verb relevare, meaning "to lift up again, to lighten". This verb is a compound of the prefix re- ("again, back") and levare ("to lift, make light"), which itself derives from the Latin adjective levis ("light" in weight). The semantic journey moved from the physical act of lifting a burden to the metaphorical sense of alleviating pain, pressure, or duty. Thus, the modern meaning of removing or reducing something unpleasant logically extends from the ancient concept of making a weight feel light again.
Analysis
Structure: re + lieve
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- lieve: From Latin levare, meaning "to lift, lighten, raise". The spelling 'lieve' is a direct substring from the English word 'relieve'.
Examples
The medicine helped to relieve her headache.
The guard will be relieved at midnight.
Donations from the public relieved the immediate financial crisis.