Relax Definition
relax
Contents |
English
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre (“relax, loosen, open”), from re- (“back”) + laxāre (“loosen”), from laxus (“loose, free”).
A man relaxing and reading a book.Verb
relax (third-person singular simple present relaxes, present participle relaxing, simple past and past participle relaxed)
- (transitive) To make something loose.
- (intransitive) To become loose.
- (transitive) To make something less severe or tense.
- (intransitive) To become less severe or tense.
- (transitive) To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient.
- 1953, Edward Corwin, “Section 2. Jurisdiction”, in The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation[1], page 589:
- 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."
- 1953, Edward Corwin, “Section 2. Jurisdiction”, in The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation[1], page 589:
- (intransitive) (of codes and regulations) To become more lenient.
- (transitive) To relieve (something) from stress.
Antonyms
Derived terms
Anagrams
Italian
Noun
relax m. inv.
- relaxation (mental or physical)
|
)