Relax

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æks

Origin

From Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre ("relax, loosen, open"), from re- ("back") + laxāre ("loosen"), from laxus ("loose, free").

Full definition of relax

Verb

1. (transitive) To calm down.
2. (transitive) To make something loose.to relax a rope or cord; to relax the muscles or sinews
• MiltonHorror ... all his joints relaxed.
3. (intransitive) To become loose.
4. (transitive) To make something less severe or tense.to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavours
5. (intransitive) To become less severe or tense.
6. (transitive) To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient.
• Jonathan SwiftThe stature of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legislature.
7. 1953, Edward Corwin, The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Chapter Section 2. Jurisdiction, The Court rejected the contention that the doctrine of sovereign immunity should be relaxed as inapplicable to suits for specific relief as distinguished from damage suits, saying: "The Government, as representative of the community as a whole, cannot be stopped in its tracks by any plaintiff who presents a disputed question of property or contract right."
8. (intransitive, of codes and regulations) To become more lenient.
9. (transitive) To relieve (something) from stress.Amusement relaxes the mind.
10. (transitive, dated) To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open.An aperient relaxes the bowels.

Antonyms

• stress, excite

Derived terms

• relaxable

Anagrams

• laxer