Backup vs. Relief — What's the Difference?

In information technology, a backup, or data backup is a copy of computer data taken and stored elsewhere so that it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form, referring to the process of doing so, is "back up", whereas the noun and adjective form is "backup".

Relief is a sculptural technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The term relief is from the Latin verb relevo, to raise.

A reserve or substitute.

The easing of a pain, distress, or anxiety

(Computers) A copy of a program or file that is stored separately from the original.

Something that alleviates pain, distress, or anxiety

Support or backing.

Aid in time of danger

(Music) A background accompaniment, as for a performer.

Rescue from a siege

An overflow or accumulation caused by clogging or by a stoppage

Public assistance

Extra; standby

Release from a post or duty, such as that of sentinel.

A reserve or substitute.

One who takes over a post or duty for another.

(computing) A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is destroyed or damaged.

Something that makes a pleasant or amusing change from something tedious or unpleasant

An accumulation of material caused by a (partial) obstruction or (complete) blockage of the flow or movement of the material, or an accumulation of material that causes an overflow due to the flow being greater than the maximum possible flow.

The projection of figures or forms from a flat background, as in sculpture, or the apparent projection of such shapes in a painting or drawing.

(law enforcement) reinforcements

A work of art featuring such projection. Also called relievo.

Standby, reserve or extra.

(Geology) The variations in elevation of an area of the earth's surface.

(computing) That is intended as a backup.

Distinction or prominence due to contrast

Supporting, reinforcing; of or related to accompaniment

(Law) The objective sought by a lawsuit or legal action, such as an award of monetary damages or an order requiring the other party to take a particular action.

Anything kept in reserve to serve as a substitute in case of failure or unavailability of the normal or primary object; - used for devices, plans, people, etc. Also used attributively; as, there was no backup for the electrical supply; a backup motor; a backup generator.

(Baseball) The pitching done by a relief pitcher

A musician or group of musicians accompanying a soloist, whether vocalists or instrumentalists.

A payment made by the heir of a deceased tenant to a feudal lord for the privilege of succeeding to the tenant's estate.

A person or group of persons serving as reinforcement for another or others; as, the policeman called for backup when he was fired on.

The removal of stress or discomfort.

An accumulation, overflow, or reverse flow (in traffic or a liquid flow system) caused by a stoppage or other malfunction.

The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort.

A copy of a program or data from a computer onto a data-storage medium, usually one that may be removed to safe storage at a distance from the computer; it is used to preserve data for use in the contingency that the original data on the computer may be lost or become unusable. A backup that is removed from the building housing the computer system (to provide protection against loss of data in a disastrous event such as a fire) is called off-site backup. Also used attributively; as, backup copy.

Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another.

The act or process of creating a backup{5}; as, they performed a full system backup every weekend.

The person who takes over a shift for another.

An accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage;

Aid or assistance offered in time of need.

Someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult);

(legal) Court-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress.

A subordinate musical part; provides background for more important parts

A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief.

(computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device;

A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor.

The act of providing approval and support;

A type of sculpture or other artwork in which shapes or figures protrude from a flat background.

The apparent difference in elevation in the surface of a painting or drawing made noticeable by a variation in light or color.

The difference of elevations on a surface.

(heraldry) The supposed projection of a charge from the surface of a field, indicated by shading on the sinister and lower sides.

(of a surface) Characterized by surface inequalities.

Of or used in letterpress.

The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; the removal, or partial removal, of any evil, or of anything oppressive or burdensome, by which some ease is obtained; succor; alleviation; comfort; ease; redress.

Release from a post, or from the performance of duty, by the intervention of others, by discharge, or by relay; as, a relief of a sentry.

That which removes or lessens evil, pain, discomfort, uneasiness, etc.; that which gives succor, aid, or comfort; also, the person who relieves from performance of duty by taking the place of another; a relay.

A fine or composition which the heir of a deceased tenant paid to the lord for the privilege of taking up the estate, which, on strict feudal principles, had lapsed or fallen to the lord on the death of the tenant.

The projection of a figure above the ground or plane on which it is formed.

The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure.

The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the ditch.

The elevations and surface undulations of a country.

The feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced;

The condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress);

(law) redress awarded by a court;

Someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult);

Assistance in time of difficulty;

A pause for relaxation;

A change for the better

Aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped;

The act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance);

Sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the surrounding background

The act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged;