I. to be light, “κουφίζουσαν ἄρουραν” Hes.Op.463, cf. E.Hel.1555; of a sufferer, to be relieved, “κουφίζειν δοκῶ” S.Ph. 735, cf. Hp.Aph.2.27.
II. trans., lighten, make light, “τὸ κενὸν ἐμπεριλαμβανόμενον κ. τὰ σώματα” Arist.Cael.309a6:—Pass., Id.PA 663b13: hence,
1. lift up, raise, S.Ant.43, Tr.1025 (lyr.); “αἴρων κουφιῶ σ᾽ ἐγώ” Ar.Av.1762 (lyr.); “ἀσπίδ᾽ ἀμφὶ βραχίονι κουφίζων” E. Ph.121 (lyr.); ἅλμα κουφιεῖν make a light leap, S.Aj.l.c.; “κ. πήδημα” E.El.861 (lyr.); δύστηνον αἰώρημα κουφίζω, = δύστηνος αἰωροῦμαι, Id.Supp.1047:—Pass., to be lifted up, soar, [“τῷ πτερῷ] ᾧ ψυχὴ κουφίζεται” Pl.Phdr.248c, cf. 249a; “σώματα -όμενα ὑπὸ τοῦ κύματος” Jul.Or.1.27c.
2. lighten of a load, ὄχλου πλήθους τε κ. χθόνα lighten earth of a multitude, E.Hel.40; “κουφισθεὶς τοῦ βάρους” Thphr. HP4.16.2: abs., lighten ships of their cargo, “τῷ ταχυναυτοῦντι κουφίσαντες προσβάλλειν” Th.6.34; “κουφισθεισῶν τῶν νεῶν” Plb.20.5.11, cf. 1.60.8.
b. of persons, relieve from burdens, X.Mem.2.7.1, Cyr.6.3.24; “τὸν δῆμον τῶν εἰσφορῶν” D.S.13.64, cf. IG12(7).506.16 (Amorgos, iii B. C.); “τόκων τοὺς χρεωφειλέτας” Plu.Caes.37; relieve (contractors), Plb.6.17.5; “τῆς ὑπερηφανίας” Phld.Vit.p.16 J.; “κ. τοὺς νοσοῦντας” Plu.2.1106c:—Pass., to be relieved, ὅταν σῶμα κουφισθῇ νόσου from . . , E.Or.43; “τοῦ πάθους” Arist.Pr.873b22; “λέξασα κουφισθήσομαι ψυχήν” E.Med.473: fut. Med. κουφιεῖσθαι in pass. sense, Aristid.2.145 J.: metaph., τῇ τῶνδε εὐκλείᾳ κουφίζεσθε feel your burdens lightened by . . , Th.2.44; “κουφίζονται οἱ λυπούμενοι” Arist. EN1171a29, cf. Pol.1342a14; “ἐλπίδι κ. ματαίᾳ” Ael.NA11.33.
3. c. acc. rei, lighten, assuage, “ἀλγηδόνας” E.Fr.573; “συμφορὰς λόγῳ κ.” D.60.35; “κ. ἔρωτα” Theoc.23.9; “τὸ πάθος” Plu.Alex.52; “τὰ ὀφλήματα” Id.2.807d: abs., give or procure relief, κ. οὐδέν, ἀλλά . . Hp. Epid.1.7, cf. Arist.GA725b9:—Pass., “νομίζοντες κεκουφίσθαι τὸν πόλεμον αὐτοῖς” Plb.1.17.2.
b. cancel a debt, POxy.126.8 (vi A. D.), etc.:—Med., PMasp.95.10 (vi A. D.).