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Relieving Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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relieving

[rɪˈliːvɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

emotional support

Relieving refers to the act of alleviating pain, distress, or discomfort. It can be applied in both physical and emotional contexts, where someone might seek to relieve themselves or others from burdens. This term encompasses a range of actions, from providing comfort to someone in distress to administering medication to lessen physical pain. The concept of relieving is essential in healthcare, counseling, and everyday interpersonal relationships.

Synonyms

alleviating, calming, diminishing, soothing.

Examples of usage

  • She found that talking helped in relieving her stress.
  • He took a painkiller for relieving his headache.
  • Acts of kindness can be very relieving for those in grief.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Relieving stress through activities like exercise or meditation can improve overall mental health.
  • The brain releases 'feel-good' hormones, like endorphins, when stress is alleviated, leading to a sense of happiness.

Health and Medicine

  • Pain-relieving medications can help manage chronic conditions and improve a patient's quality of life.
  • Therapies such as massage and acupuncture are often used to relieve muscle tension and pain.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often have 'relieving' moments that bring a sense of calm after intense drama, like a heartfelt hug.
  • Songs that express themes of relief often resonate with listeners, such as tracks that talk about overcoming challenges.

Literature

  • Many stories explore the theme of relief, often depicting characters who face struggles but find peace or resolution.
  • Poets frequently use imagery of nature, like a gentle rain, to symbolize feelings of relief after a storm.

Origin of 'relieving'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'relever', which means to 'raise up' or 'relieve from weight'.
  • In Middle English, it evolved to mean 'to lighten' or 'to help bear a burden'.

The word 'relieve' is derived from the Old French 'relever,' meaning to raise up or to alleviate. This in turn comes from the Latin 'relevare,' which means 'to lift up' or 'to lighten,' combining the prefix 're-' (back, again) with 'levare' (to raise). The evolution of the term reflects a deep-rooted necessity for alleviation in human experience, as people have always sought relief from various forms of suffering, whether physical, emotional, or mental. The semantic shift towards its modern usage has expanded its applicability in various domains such as medicine, psychology, and everyday life. Its usage has become prevalent in healthcare, where relieving pain and discomfort is fundamental to patient care, as well as in mental health fields where emotional relief is paramount.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,278, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.