/rɪ'li:v; rɪ`liv/
v [Tn]
1 lessen or remove (pain, distress, anxiety, etc) 减轻或解除（痛苦、困苦、忧虑等）
*relieve suffering, hardship, etc among refugees 解除难民的痛苦、苦难等
* This drug will relieve your discomfort. 这种药可减轻你的病痛.
2 ~ oneself (euph 婉) empty one's bladder or bowels 解小便或大便.
3 provide aid or assistance for (people in need, a disaster area, etc) 给（需要帮助者、灾区等）提供帮助或救援
*relieve famine in Africa 救济非洲的饥荒灾区
* The bypass relieves traffic jams in our city centre. 这条旁道缓解了我们城市中心的交通阻塞情况.
4 introduce variety into (sth) 调剂（某事物）
*relieve the tedium/boredom/monotony of waiting 调剂等候时的乏味[无聊/单调]
* Not a single tree relieved the flatness of the plain. 平原上单调得毫无变化, 连一棵树都没有.
5 release (sb) from a duty or task by taking his place (or finding sb else to do so) 接替（某人）工作; 将（某人）从岗位上轮换下来
*relieve the guard/the watch 给卫兵[警卫]换岗
* relieve a sentry, workmate, driver 接替一哨兵、同事、司机
* I'm to be relieved at six. 六点钟有人来换我的班.
6 end or raise the siege of (a town, fort, etc) 给（某城市、要塞等）解围.
7 (idm 习语) relieve one's `feelings make one's emotions easier to bear by weeping, shouting, behaving violently, etc 发泄感情（如藉哭、叫、粗暴行为等）.
8 (phr v) relieve sb of sth
(a) (fml 文) take (a burden, responsibility, etc) away from sb 解除某人的（负担、责任等）
*relieve Mr Brett of his post as manager 解除布雷特先生的经理职务
* The general was relieved of his command. 这位将军的指挥权被解除了.
(b) (joc 谑) carry, take charge, etc of sb's personal effects 替某人拿、照管...私人财物
*Let me relieve you of your coat and hat. 让我替你拿外衣和帽子吧.
(c) (infml joc 口, 谑) rob sb of sth 抢　或盗取某人的某物
*The thief relieved him of his wallet. 那小偷把他的钱包偷走了.

v [T]

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1【pain】
2【problem】
3【replace somebody】
4 relieve yourself
5【boring】
6【war】
Phrasal verbs
　relieve somebody of something

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[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin: relever 'to raise, relieve', from Latin relevare, from levare 'to raise']
【PAIN】
to reduce someone's pain or unpleasant feelings
→relief
　Drugs helped to relieve the pain.
relieve tension/pressure/stress etc
　Some people eat for comfort, to relieve their anxieties.
【PROBLEM】
to make a problem less difficult or serious
　programs aimed at relieving unemployment
【REPLACE SOMEBODY】
to replace someone when they have completed their duty or when they need a rest
　The guard will be relieved at midnight.
relieve yourself
a polite expression meaning to urinate - often used humorously
【BORING】
to make something less dull and boring
　a plain wall relieved by flecks of blue and yellow
relieve the boredom/monotony
　The books helped relieve the boredom of waiting.
【WAR】
formal to free a town which an enemy has surrounded
relieve of [relieve sb of sth] phr v
formal to help someone by taking something from them, especially a job they do not want to do or something heavy that they are carrying
　A secretary was hired to relieve her of some of the administrative work.
　He rose and relieved her of her bags.
relieve sb of their post/duties/command etc
formal to take away someone's job because they have done something wrong
　After the defeat General Meyer was relieved of his command.
to steal something from someone - used humorously
　A couple of guys relieved him of his wallet.