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Relieve vs Heal - What's the difference?

relieve | heal |

In obsolete terms the difference between relieve and heal

is that relieve is to lift up; to raise again while heal is health.

As verbs the difference between relieve and heal

is that relieve is to ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of while heal is to hide; conceal; keep secret.

As a noun heal is

health.

relieve

English

Verb

(reliev)
  • To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=Then we relapsed into a discomfited silence, and wished we were anywhere else. But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud, and with such a hearty enjoyment that instead of getting angry and more mortified we began to laugh ourselves, and instantly felt better.}}
  • To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.
  • To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).
  • To provide comfort or assistance to (someone in need, especially in poverty).
  • (obsolete) To lift up; to raise again.
  • (legal) To free (someone) from debt or legal obligations; to give legal relief to.
  • This shall not relieve either Party of any obligations.
  • To bring military help to (a besieged town); to lift the seige on.
  • To release (someone) from or of a difficulty, unwanted task, responsibility etc.
  • (military, job) To free (someone) from their post, task etc. by taking their place.
  • * 1819 , (Lord Byron), , III.76:
  • The henna should be deeply dyed to make / The skin relieved appear more fairly fair [...].
  • * 1927 , (Countee Cullen), From the Dark Tower :
  • The night whose sable breast relieves the stark / White stars is no less lovely being dark
  • (reflexive) To go to the toilet; to defecate or urinate.
  • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * relieve oneself

    heal

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) helen, hilen, from (etyl) . Related to (l), (l).

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l) * (l) (Scotland)

    Verb

  • To hide; conceal; keep secret.
  • To cover, as for protection.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) helen, from (etyl) . More at (l).

    Verb

  • To make better from a disease, wound, etc.; to revive or cure.
  • This bandage will heal your cut.
  • * Bible, Matthew viii. 8
  • Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed .
  • To become better.
  • Bandages allow cuts to heal .
  • To reconcile, as a breach or difference; to make whole; to free from guilt.
  • to heal dissensions
    Synonyms
    * (make better) cure, make whole * (become better) get better, recover
    Derived terms
    * healable * healand, Healand * healer * health

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) health
  • (Chaucer)

    Anagrams

    * * English ergative verbs ----