Takes away pain, worry, or difficulty; or replaces someone at a job or duty.
From Old French 'relever' and Latin 'relevare' meaning 'to lift up again,' from 're-' (again) and 'levare' (to lift). The meaning evolved from physical lifting to emotional/mental easing.
The same word that means 'eases pain' also means 'takes over the watch'—both meanings trace back to 'lifting again.' A relieving officer literally lifted the burden from the previous person!
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