Category:Relax

Re*lax" (r-lks"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relaxed (-lkst"); p. pr. & vb. N. Relaxing.] Etym: [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 rogorous; to abate the stringency of; to Remit in respect to strenuousness, esrnestness, or effort; as, to Relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavors. The stature of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the Legilature. 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.

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.

Relax Re*lax", n.

Defn: relaxation. [obs.] Feltham.

Relax Re**lax", a.

Defn: relaxed; lax; hence, remiss; careless.