- Relax
- Relax Re*lax" (r?-l?ks"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Relaxed}
(-l?kst"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Relaxing}.] [L. relaxare; pref.
re- re- + laxare to loose, to slacken, from laxus loose. See
{Lax}, and cf. {Relay}, n., {Release}.]
1. To make lax or loose; to make less close, firm, rigid,
tense, or the like; to slacken; to loosen; to open; as, to
relax a rope or cord; to relax the muscles or sinews.
[1913 Webster]
Horror . . . all his joints relaxed. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Nor served it to relax their serried files. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. To make less severe or rigorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in respect to strenuousness, earnestness, or effort; as, to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavors. [1913 Webster]
The statute of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legislature. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
3. Hence, to relieve from attention or effort; to ease; to recreate; to divert; as, amusement relaxes the mind. [1913 Webster]
4. To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open; as, an aperient relaxes the bowels. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To slacken; loosen; loose; remit; abate; mitigate; ease; unbend; divert. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
