Relieve Re·lieve" transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Relieved (-l?vd"); present participle & verbal noun Relieving .] [ Middle English releven , French relever to raise again, discharge, relieve, from Latin relevare to lift up, raise, make light, relieve; prefix re- re- + levare to raise, from levis light. See Levity , and confer Relevant , Relief .] 1. To lift up; to raise again, as one who has fallen; to cause to rise. [ Obsolete] Piers Plowman.

2. To cause to seem to rise; to put in relief; to give prominence or conspicuousness to; to set off by contrast.

Her tall figure relieved against the blue sky; seemed almost of supernatural height.

Sir W. Scott.

3. To raise up something in; to introduce a contrast or variety into; to remove the monotony or sameness of.

The poet must . . . sometimes relieve the subject with a moral reflection.

Addison.

4. To raise or remove, as anything which depresses, weighs down, or crushes; to render less burdensome or afflicting; to alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; to lessen; as, to relieve pain; to relieve the wants of the poor.

5. To free, wholly or partly, from any burden, trial, evil, distress, or the like; to give ease, comfort, or consolation to; to give aid, help, or succor to; to support, strengthen, or deliver; as, to relieve a besieged town.

Now lend assistance and relieve the poor.

Dryden.

6. To release from a post, station, or duty; to put another in place of, or to take the place of, in the bearing of any burden, or discharge of any duty.

Who hath relieved you?

Shak.

7. To ease of any imposition, burden, wrong, or oppression, by judicial or legislative interposition, as by the removal of a grievance, by indemnification for losses, or the like; to right.

Syn. -- To alleviate; assuage; succor; assist; aid; help; support; substain; ease; mitigate; lighten; diminish; remove; free; remedy; redress; indemnify.

Relievement Re·lieve"ment (-m e nt) noun The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; relief; release. [ Archaic.]

Reliever Re·liev"er noun One who, or that which, relieves.

Relieving Re·liev"ing adjective Serving or tending to relieve.

Relieving arch (Architecture) , a discharging arch. See under Discharge , transitive verb -- Relieving tackle . (Nautical) (a) A temporary tackle attached to the tiller of a vessel during gales or an action, in case of accident to the tiller ropes . (b) A strong tackle from a wharf to a careened vessel, to prevent her from going over entirely, and to assist in righting her. Totten. Craig.

Relievo Re·lie"vo noun [ Italian rilievo .] See Relief , noun , 5.

Relight Re·light" transitive verb To light or kindle anew.

Religieuse Re·li`gi`euse" noun f. Re*li`gi`eux" (r e -l?`zh?`?") noun m. [ French] A person bound by monastic vows; a nun; a monk.

Religion Re·li"gion (re*lĭj"ŭn) noun [ French, from Latin religio ; confer religens pious, revering the gods, Greek 'ale`gein to heed, have a care. Confer Neglect .] 1. The outward act or form by which men indicate their recognition of the existence of a god or of gods having power over their destiny, to whom obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression of human love, fear, or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether by profession of belief, by observance of rites and ceremonies, or by the conduct of life; a system of faith and worship; a manifestation of piety; as, ethical religions ; monotheistic religions ; natural religion ; revealed religion ; the religion of the Jews; the religion of idol worshipers.

An orderly life so far as others are able to observe us is now and then produced by prudential motives or by dint of habit; but without seriousness there can be no religious principle at the bottom, no course of conduct from religious motives; in a word, there can be no religion .

Paley.

Religion [ was] not, as too often now, used as equivalent for godliness; but . . . it expressed the outer form and embodiment which the inward spirit of a true or a false devotion assumed.

Trench.

Religions , by which are meant the modes of divine worship proper to different tribes, nations, or communities, and based on the belief held in common by the members of them severally. . . . There is no living religion without something like a doctrine. On the other hand, a doctrine, however elaborate, does not constitute a religion .

C. P. Tiele (Encyc. Brit.).

Religion . . . means the conscious relation between man and God, and the expression of that relation in human conduct.

J. Köstlin (Schaff-Herzog Encyc.)

After the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Acts xxvi. 5.

The image of a brute, adorned
With gay religions full of pomp and gold.

Milton.

2. Specifically, conformity in faith and life to the precepts inculcated in the Bible, respecting the conduct of life and duty toward God and man; the Christian faith and practice.

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion .

Washington.

Religion will attend you . . . as a pleasant and useful companion in every proper place, and every temperate occupation of life.

Buckminster.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A monastic or religious order subject to a regulated mode of life; the religious state; as, to enter religion . Trench.

A good man was there of religion .

Chaucer.

4. Strictness of fidelity in conforming to any practice, as if it were an enjoined rule of conduct. [ R.]

Those parts of pleading which in ancient times might perhaps be material, but at this time are become only mere styles and forms, are still continued with much religion .

Sir M. Hale.

» Religion , as distinguished from theology , is subjective, designating the feelings and acts of men which relate to God; while theology is objective, and denotes those ideas which man entertains respecting the God whom he worships, especially his systematized views of God. As distinguished from morality , religion denotes the influences and motives to human duty which are found in the character and will of God, while morality describes the duties to man, to which true religion always influences. As distinguished from piety , religion is a high sense of moral obligation and spirit of reverence or worship which affect the heart of man with respect to the Deity, while piety , which first expressed the feelings of a child toward a parent, is used for that filial sentiment of veneration and love which we owe to the Father of all. As distinguished from sanctity , religion is the means by which sanctity is achieved, sanctity denoting primarily that purity of heart and life which results from habitual communion with God, and a sense of his continual presence.

Natural religion , a religion based upon the evidences of a God and his qualities, which is supplied by natural phenomena. See Natural theology , under Natural . -- Religion of humanity , a name sometimes given to a religion founded upon positivism as a philosophical basis. -- Revealed religion , that which is based upon direct communication of God's will to mankind; especially, the Christian religion, based on the revelations recorded in the Old and New Testaments.

Religionary Re·li"gion·a·ry adjective Relating to religion; pious; as, religionary professions. [ Obsolete]

Religionary, Religioner Re·li"gion·a·ry, Re·li"gion·er noun A religionist. [ R.]

Religionism Re·li"gion·ism noun 1. The practice of, or devotion to, religion.

2. Affectation or pretense of religion.

Religionist Re·li"gion·ist noun One earnestly devoted or attached to a religion; a religious zealot.

The chief actors on one side were, and were to be, the Puritan religionists .

Palfrey.

It might be that an Antinomian, a Quaker, or other heterodo... religionists , was to be scourged out of the town.

Hawthorne.

Religionize Re·li"gion·ize transitive verb To bring under the influence of religion. [ R.] Mallock.

Religionless Re·li"gion·less adjective Destitute of religion.

Religiosity Re·lig`i·os"i·ty noun [ Latin religiositas : confer French religiosit... .] The quality of being religious; religious feeling or sentiment; religiousness. [ R.] M. Arnold.

Religious Re·li"gious adjective [ Old French religius , religious , French religieux , from Latin religiosus . See Religion .] 1. Of or pertaining to religion; concerned with religion; teaching, or setting forth, religion; set apart to religion; as, a religious society; a religious sect; a religious place; religious subjects, books, teachers, houses, wars.

Our law forbids at their religious rites
My presence.

Milton.

2. Possessing, or conforming to, religion; pious; godly; as, a religious man, life, behavior, etc.

Men whose lives
Religious titled them the sons of God.

Mlton

3. Scrupulously faithful or exact; strict.

Thus, Indianlike,
Religious in my error, I adore
The sun, that looks upon his worshiper.

Shak.

4. Belonging to a religious order; bound by vows.

One of them is religious .

Chaucer.

Syn. -- Pious; godly; holy; devout; devotional; conscientious; strict; rogod; exact.

Religious Re·li"gious noun A person bound by monastic vows, or sequestered from secular concern, and devoted to a life of piety and religion; a monk or friar; a nun. Addison.

Religiously Re·li"gious·ly adverb In a religious manner. Drayton.

Religiousness Re·li"gious·ness noun The quality of being religious.

Relik Rel"ik noun Relic. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Relinquent Re·lin"quent adjective [ Latin relinquens , present participle of relinqquere . See Relinquish .] Relinquishing. [ R.]

Relinquent Re·lin"quent noun One who relinquishes. [ R.]

Relinquish Re·lin"quish transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Relinquished (-kw?sht); present participle & verbal noun Relinquishing .] [ Old French relinquir , Latin relinquere to leave behind; prefix re- re + linquere to leave. See Loan , and confer Relic , Relict .]

1. To withdraw from; to leave behind; to desist from; to abandon; to quit; as, to relinquish a pursuit.

We ought to relinquish such rites.

Hooker.

They placed Irish tenants upon the lands relinquished by the English.

Sir J. Davies.

2. To give up; to renounce a claim to; resign; as, to relinquish a debt.

Syn. -- To resign; leave; quit; forsake; abandon; desert; renounce; forb...ar; forego. See Resign .

Relinquisher Re·lin"quish·er noun One who relinquishes.

Relinquishment Re·lin"quish·ment (-m e nt) noun The act of relinquishing.

Reliquary Rel"i·qua·ry noun ; plural -ries (-rĭz). [ Late Latin reliquiarium , reliquiare : confer French reliquaire . See Relic .] A depositary, often a small box or casket, in which relics are kept.

Relique Re·lique" noun [ French] See Relic . Chaucer.

Reliquian Re·liq"ui·an adjective Of or pertaining to a relic or relics; of the nature of a relic. [ R.]

Reliquidate Re·liq"ui·date transitive verb To liquidate anew; to adjust a second time.

Reliquidation Re·liq`ui·da"tion noun A second or renewed liquidation; a renewed adjustment. A. Hamilton.

Reliquiæ Re·liq"ui·æ noun plural [ Latin See Relic .]

1. Remains of the dead; organic remains; relics.

2. (Botany) Same as Induviæ .

Relish Rel"ish transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Relished (-...sht); present participle & verbal noun Relishing .] [ Of. relechier to lick or taste anew; prefix re- re-+ lechier to lick, French l...cher . See Lecher , Lick .] 1. To taste or eat with pleasure; to like the flavor of; to partake of with gratification; hence, to enjoy; to be pleased with or gratified by; to experience pleasure from; as, to relish food.

Now I begin to relish thy advice.

Shak.

He knows how to prize his advantages, and to relish the honors which he enjoys.

Atterbury.

2. To give a relish to; to cause to taste agreeably.

A savory bit that served to relish wine.

Dryden.

Relish Rel"ish intransitive verb To have a pleasing or appetizing taste; to give gratification; to have a flavor.

Had I been the finder-out of this secret, it would not have relished among my other discredits.

Shak.

A theory, which, how much soever it may relish of wit and invention, hath no foundation in nature.

Woodward.

Relish Rel"ish noun 1. A pleasing taste; flavor that gratifies the palate; hence, enjoyable quality; power of pleasing.

Much pleasure we have lost while we abstained
From this delightful fruit, nor known till now
True relish , tasting.

Milton.

When liberty is gone,
Life grows insipid, and has lost its relish .

Addison.

2. Savor; quality; characteristic tinge.

It preserve some relish of old writing.

Pope.

3. A taste for; liking; appetite; fondness.

A relish for whatever was excelent in arts.

Macaulay.

I have a relish for moderate praise, because it bids fair to be j...dicious.

Cowper.

4. That which is used to impart a flavor; specifically, something taken with food to render it more palatable or to stimulate the appetite; a condiment.

Syn. -- Taste; savor; flavor; appetite; zest; gusto; liking; delight.

Relish Rel"ish noun (Carp.) The projection or shoulder at the side of, or around, a tenon, on a tenoned piece. Knight.

Relishable Rel"ish·a·ble adjective Capable of being relished; agreeable to the taste; gratifying.

Relive Re·live" intransitive verb To live again; to revive.

Relive Re·live" transitive verb To recall to life; to revive. [ Obsolete]

Reload Re·load" transitive verb To load again, as a gun.

Reloan Re·loan" noun A second lending of the same thing; a renewal of a loan.

Relocate Re·lo"cate transitive verb To locate again.

Relocation Re`lo·ca"tion noun 1. A second location.

2. (Roman & Scots Law) Renewal of a lease.

Relodge Re·lodge" transitive verb To lodge again.

Relove Re·love" transitive verb To love in return. [ Obsolete] Boyle.

Relucent Re·lu"cent adjective [ Latin relucens , present participle relucere . See Lucent .] Reflecting light; shining; glittering; glistening; bright; luminous; splendid.

Gorgeous banners to the sun expand
Their streaming volumes of relucent gold.

Glover.

Reluct Re·luct" intransitive verb [ Latin reluctari , past participle reluctatus , to struggle; prefix re- re- + luctari to struggle, from lucia a wresting.] To strive or struggle against anything; to make resistance; to draw back; to feel or show repugnance or reluctance.

Apt to reluct at the excesses of it [ passion].

Walton.

Reluctance Re·luc"tance (r?-l?k"t a ns), Re*luc"tan*cy (-t a n-s?) noun [ See Reluctant .] The state or quality of being reluctant; repugnance; aversion of mind; unwillingness; -- often followed by an infinitive, or by to and a noun, formerly sometimes by against . "Tempering the severity of his looks with a reluctance to the action." Dryden.

He had some reluctance to obey the summons.

Sir W. Scott.

Bear witness, Heaven, with what reluctancy
Her helpless innocence I doom to die.

Dryden.

Syn. See Dislike .

Reluctance Re·luc"tance noun (Electricity) Magnetic resistance, being equal to the ratio of magnetomotive force to magnetic flux.

Reluctant Re·luc"tant (-t a nt) adjective [ Latin reluctans , -antis , present participle of reluctari . See Reluct .] 1. Striving against; opposed in desire; unwilling; disinclined; loth.

Reluctant , but in vain.

Milton.

Reluctant now I touched the trembling string.

Tickell.

2. Proceeding from an unwilling mind; granted with reluctance; as, reluctant obedience. Mitford.

Syn. -- Averse; unwilling; loth; disinclined; repugnant; backward; coy. See Averse .

Reluctantly Re·luc"tant·ly adverb In a reluctant manner.

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