Definition of "relief"

Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness, […] . It was with a palpable relief that he heard the first warning notes of the figure.

1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd.

Tony's face expressed relief, and Nettie sat silent for a moment until the vicar said “It was a generous impulse, but it may have been a momentary one, […] .”

1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict‎

DfT's action was greeted with great relief in many quarters.

2020 April 8, Philip Haigh, “Out of the current crisis we could see meaningful changes”, in Rail, page 56

At Leeds a relief crew was waiting—but without a relief locomotive; after some discussion, the new men offered to take on the A3. [...].

1963 February, “Motive Power Miscellany: London Midland Region”, in Modern Railways, page 136

On busy days, they also may be seen bowling along the Brighton main line, north of Keymer Junction, with a relief Newhaven boat express, […] .

1950 November, R. A. H. Weight, “A Railway Recorder in Southern England”, in Railway Magazine, page 772

The approach to Newcastle (Central) Station from the north after a heavy snowfall. The complicated track layout is thrown into clear relief by the snow [referring to dark rails poking through the snow]

1947 January and February, “A Winter's Day on the Tyneside”, in Railway Magazine, page 29, photo caption