relieve

Where does the word "relieve" come from? It comes from Latin levis, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Relieve’s story begins in Latin: levis meant “light, not heavy.” Light, not heavy, combined with re- (again). Within Latin, it grew into relevare by ancient. To lift up again, to lighten, from re- and levis. From there it passed into Old French as relever by medieval. Carried into French for lightening a burden or raising something up. It reached English by 1300s as relieve. Settled as the English word for lessening pain, distress, or a burden. Today, relieve means to lessen pain, distress, or a burden, bringing comfort.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient levis "light, not heavy", light, not heavy, combined with re- (again).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient relevare "to lift up again, to lighten", to lift up again, to lighten, from re- and levis.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval relever "to lighten a burden or raise something up", carried into French for lightening a burden or raising something up.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s relieve "to lessen pain, distress, or a burden", settled as the English word for lessening pain, distress, or a burden.