(~s, relieving, ~d)
1.
If something ~s an unpleasant feeling or situation, it makes it less unpleasant or causes it to disappear completely.
Drugs can ~ much of the pain...
VERB: V n
2.
If someone or something ~s you of an unpleasant feeling or difficult task, they take it from you.
A part-time bookkeeper will ~ you of the burden of chasing unpaid invoices and paying bills.
VERB: V n of n
3.
If someone ~s you of something, they take it away from you. (FORMAL)
A porter ~d her of the three large cases.
VERB: V n of n
4.
If you ~ someone, you take their place and continue to do the job or duty that they have been doing.
At seven o’clock the night nurse came in to ~ her.
VERB: V n
5.
If someone is ~d of their duties or is ~d of their post, they are told that they are no longer required to continue in their job. (FORMAL)
The officer involved was ~d of his duties because he had violated strict guidelines...
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed of n
6.
If an army ~s a town or another place which has been surrounded by enemy forces, it frees it.
The offensive began several days ago as an attempt to ~ the town.
VERB: V n
7.
If people or animals ~ themselves, they urinate or defecate. (OLD-FASHIONED)
It is not difficult to train your dog to ~ itself on command.
VERB: V pron-refl