Category:Loosen

Loos"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loosened; p. pr. & vb. n. Loosening.] Etym: [See Loose, v. t.]

1. To make loose; to free from tightness, tension, firmness, or fixedness; to make less dense or compact; as, to loosen a string, or a knot; to loosen a rock in the earth. After a year's rooting, then shaking doth the tree good by loosening of the earth. Bacon.

2. To free from restraint; to set at liberty.. It loosens his hands, and assists his understanding. Dryden.

3. To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase the alvine discharges of. Bacon.

loosen Loos"en, v. i.

Defn: To become loose; to become less tight, firm, or compact. S. Sharp.