'relieve' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'relever,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'lever' meant 'to raise.'

'relever' transformed into the Middle English word 'releven,' and eventually became the modern English word 'relieve'.

Initially, it meant 'to raise or lift again,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to alleviate or lessen pain or distress'.