(1)减轻，缓解，解除(lessen，reduce or free from pain，anxiety，etc)[T+n，T+n+prep(of)]：～a headache/sb's pain/sb's suffering/sb's discomfort/the mother's uneasiness/the pressure on sb's eardrum/hardship of the refugees 减轻头疼/某人的疼痛/某人的痛苦/某人的不适/母亲的不安/耳鼓膜上所承受的压力/难民的苦难;The ointment～d her itching. 这种软膏减轻了她的骚痒症。Anxiety may be～d by talking to a friend. 和朋友交谈可以减轻焦虑情绪。～sb of some of work 减去某人一些工作; ～sb of the burden of remembering sth/the trouble of writing a letter 省去某人记事的负担/写信的麻烦; ～sb of sb's attendance 允许某人不出席;〖同〗ease，lessen，rid;

(2)救济(援)，帮助(bring aid or assistance to sb in need，a disaster area，etc)[T+n]：～the victims of the flood/the famine in Africa/the poverty-stricken families 救济洪灾受害者/非洲饥民/贫困家庭;UNESCO works to～the suffering of children throughout the world. 联合国教科文组织帮助世界各地的儿童摆脱苦难。The road built like a bridge over another road～s traffic jam. 这座高架桥路解决了交通堵塞问题。〖同〗help，assist;

(3)使不单调(乏味);调剂(make sth more enjoyable，less unpleasant)[T+n]：～a dull evening/the political meeting with a little dance (a few songs) 以跳舞(唱几支歌)使夜晚不乏味/活跃一下政治会议的气氛;sing songs (say humorous remarks) to～the monotony of the work/the tension in the room 唱几支歌(说几句幽默的话)使工作不再单调/缓和房间里的紧张气氛;～the tedium/the boredom of waiting 调剂等候时的乏味/无聊;the brown hills～d by patches of green 由一小块一小块绿地点缀着的褐色群山;a black dress～d by red trimming 镶有红边的黑衣服;

(4)接(换)班(take over the duties or watches of sb)[T+n]：～a porter/a driver/a workmate/a guard/a sentry/a sentinel 接替看门人/司机/同事/卫兵/哨兵/岗哨值班;The guard is～d every two hours/in an hour. 卫兵每两个小时换岗/一小时后下岗。The night watch～d the day watch at 6 p.m. 下午6点值夜班的人接替值白班的人。〖同〗replace，free;

(5)解围(stop a place from being surrounded and cut off by the enemy)[T+n]：～a town/a fort 解救一座被围困的城市/要塞;Bremen was～d by 20 August. 8月20日不来梅市被解围了。〖同〗rescue;

relieve sb of sth 1)解除(职务，负担)(fml)：He was～d of his employment/his command/his post. 他被辞退了/解除了指挥权/免职了。2)帮助(提，拿)，照管(joc)：He～d her of the plates/her coat/her package. 他从她的手中接过那些盘子/她的外套/行李。3)偷(infml)(joc)：The pickpocket～d her of her purse/her wallet/her money. 小偷偷了她的钱包/钱包/钱。

relieve one's feelings 发泄感情：Cry if you want to — it will～your feelings. 你想哭就哭吧——那会使你好受些。

relieve oneself 解大(小)便(fml)：He went into a house to～himself. 他走进一所房子去解手。

→ re′lieved adj 宽慰的，放心的;re′lief n