/ ˈrelɪʃ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
to get great pleasure from sth; to want very much to do or have sth
SYN enjoy :
[ vn ]
to relish a fight / challenge / debate
to relish the idea / thought of sth
I don't relish the prospect of getting up early tomorrow.
[ v -ing ]
Nobody relishes cleaning the oven.
[also vn -ing ]
■ noun
1.
[ U ] great enjoyment or pleasure :
She savoured the moment with obvious relish .
2.
[ U , C ] a cold thick spicy sauce made from fruit and vegetables that have been boiled, that is served with meat, cheese, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : alteration of obsolete reles , from Old French reles remainder, from relaisser to release. The early noun sense was odour, taste giving rise to appetizing flavour, piquant taste (mid 17th cent.), and hence sense 2 (late 18th cent.).