Rel"ict (-?kt), n. [L. relicta, fr. of relictus, p. p. of relinquere to
leave behind. See Relinquish.] A woman whose husband is dead; a widow.
Eli dying without issue, Jacob was obliged by law to marry his
relict, and so to raise up seed to his brother Eli.
South.
Re*lict"ed (r?-l?kt"?d), a. [L. relictus, p. p.] (Law) Left uncovered,
as land by recession of water. Bouvier.
Re*lic"tion (r?-l?k"sh?n), n. [L. relictio a leaving behind.] (Law) A
leaving dry; a recession of the sea or other water, leaving dry land;
land left uncovered by such recession. Burrill.
Re*lief" (r?-l?f"), n. [OE. relef, F. relief, properly, a lifting up, a
standing out. See Relieve, and cf. Basrelief, Rilievi.] 1. 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.
He sees the dire contagion spread so fast, That, where it seizes,
all relief is vain.
Dryden.
2. 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.
For this relief much thanks; 'tis bitter cold.
Shak.
3. 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.
4. (Feudal Law) 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.
5. (Sculp. & Arch.) The projection of a figure above the ground or
plane on which it is formed.
Relief is of three kinds, namely, high relief (altorilievo), low
relief, (basso-rilievo), and demirelief (mezzo-rilievo). See these
terms in the Vocabulary.
6. (Paint.) The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow,
etc., to any figure.
7. (Fort.) The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the
ditch. Wilhelm.
8. (Physical Geog.) The elevations and surface undulations of a
country. Guyot.
Relief valve, a valve arranged for relieving pressure of steam, gas, or
liquid; an escape valve.
Syn. -- Alleviation; mitigation; aid; help; succor; assistance; remedy;
redress; indemnification.