- Release
- Release Re*lease", n.
1. The act of letting loose or freeing, or the state of being
let loose or freed; liberation or discharge from restraint
of any kind, as from confinement or bondage. ``Who
boast'st release from hell.'' --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. Relief from care, pain, or any burden. [1913 Webster]
3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt, penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance. [1913 Webster]
4. (Law) A giving up or relinquishment of some right or claim; a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
5. (Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to allow the steam to escape. [1913 Webster]
6. (Mach.) A device adapted to hold or release a device or mechanism as required; specif.: (Elec.) A catch on a motor-starting rheostat, which automatically releases the rheostat arm and so stops the motor in case of a break in the field circuit; also, the catch on an electromagnetic circuit breaker for a motor, which acts in case of an overload. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
7. (Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
8. (Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card conveying information and instructions to be used at intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Lease and release}. (Law) See under {Lease}.
{Out of release}, without cessation. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Liberation; freedom; discharge. See {Death}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
