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relax |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. Horror . . . all his joints relaxed. --Milton. Nor served it to relax their serried files. --Milton. 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. The statute of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legislature. --Swift. 3. Hence to relieve from attention or effort; to ease; to recreate; to divert; as amusement relaxes the mind. 4. To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open as an aperient relaxes the bowels. Syn: To slacken; loosen; loose; remit; abate; mitigate; ease; unbend; divert. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Relax \Re*lax"\, n. Relaxation. [Obs.] --Feltham. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Relax \Re**lax"\, a. Relaxed; lax; hence remiss; careless. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Relax \Re*lax"\, v. i. 1. To become lax, weak, or loose; as to let one's grasp relax. His knees relax with toil. --Pope. 2. To abate in severity; to become less rigorous. In others she relaxed again And governed with a looser rein. --Prior. 3. To remit attention or effort; to become less diligent; to unbend; as to relax in study. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: relax v 1: become less tense; "He relaxed in the hot tub" [syn: {unlax}, {loosen up}, {unbend}, {unwind}, {decompress}, {slow down}] [ant: {tense}] 2: make less tight; "relax the tension on the rope" [syn: {unbend}] 3: become loose or looser; "The noose loosened" [syn: {loosen}] [ant: {stiffen}] 4: cause to feel relaxed; "A hot bath always relaxes me" [syn: {unstrain}, {unlax}, {loosen up}, {unwind}, {make relaxed}] [ant: {tense}, {tense}] 5: become less tight; "the rope relaxed" [syn: {loose}]
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