myEtymology.com: English etymology of relieve

Etymology of the English word relieve

the English word relieve

derived from the Old French word relever

derived from the Old French word lever

derived from the Latin word levare (to raise; alleviate; make smooth, polish; lift, raise, hold up; lighten, lessen, relieve; undo, take off; release)

derived from the Classical Latin word levis (light, thin, trivial; smooth; slippery, polished)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *legʷh-

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *lei-

derived from the Latin word relevare (relieve, alleviate, diminish)

derived from the Latin word levare (to raise; alleviate; make smooth, polish; lift, raise, hold up; lighten, lessen, relieve; undo, take off; release)

derived from the Classical Latin word levis (light, thin, trivial; smooth; slippery, polished)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *legʷh-

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *lei-

using the Latin prefix re-

using the Old French prefix re-

Date

The earliest known usage of relieve in English dates from the 14th century.

Derivations in English

reliever, relieved, relieving

Usage

Word found in Modern English