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Relax

//ɹɪˈlæks// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To make something loose. transitive

    "to relax a rope or cord"

  2. 2
    cause to feel relaxed wordnet
  3. 3
    To make something loose.; To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open. dated, transitive

    "An aperient relaxes the bowels."

  4. 4
    become less tense, rest, or take one's ease wordnet
  5. 5
    To become loose. intransitive
Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    become loose or looser or less tight wordnet
  2. 7
    To relieve (someone or someone's mind) of stress; to enable to rest; to calm down. transitive

    "Amusement relaxes the mind."

  3. 8
    make less taut wordnet
  4. 9
    To rest and become relieved of stress. intransitive

    "I like to relax by listening to music."

  5. 10
    make less active or fast wordnet
  6. 11
    To make something less severe or tense. transitive

    "to relax discipline"

  7. 12
    become less severe or strict wordnet
  8. 13
    To become less severe or tense. intransitive

    "Tensions between the two countries have relaxed somewhat in recent weeks."

  9. 14
    make less severe or strict wordnet
  10. 15
    To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient. transitive

    "The statute of mortmain[…] was at several times relaxed by the legislature."

  11. 16
    become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner wordnet
  12. 17
    To become more lenient. intransitive

Etymology

From Middle English relaxen, from Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre (“relax, loosen, open”), from re- (“back”) + laxāre (“loosen”), from laxus (“loose, free”). By surface analysis, re- + lax (“open, free, loose”).

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