GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Relax , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relaxed ; 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.]
   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.
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   Horror . . . all his joints relaxed.
   Milton.
   
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   Nor served it to relax their serried files.
   Milton.
   
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   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.
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   The statute of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legislature.
   Swift.
   
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   Hence, to relieve from attention or effort; to ease; to recreate; to divert; as, amusement relaxes the mind.
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   To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open; as, an aperient relaxes the bowels.
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   Syn. -- To slacken; loosen; loose; remit; abate; mitigate; ease; unbend; divert.
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2.       
   Relax, v. i.
   To become lax, weak, or loose; as, to let one's grasp relax.
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   His knees relax with toil.
   Pope.
   
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   To abate in severity; to become less rigorous.
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   In others she relaxed again,
   And governed with a looser rein.
   Prior.
   
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   To remit attention or effort; to become less diligent; to unbend; as, to relax in study.
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3.       
   Relax, n. Relaxation. [Obs.]
   Feltham.
   
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4.       
   Relax, a. Relaxed; lax; hence, remiss; careless.
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