Re*lax" (r?-l?ks"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relaxed (-l?kst"); 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.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Re*lax", n.
Relaxation.
[Obs.]
Feltham.
© Webster 1913.
Re**lax", a.
Relaxed; lax; hence, remiss; careless.
© Webster 1913.