* Rhymes: -æks

From Old French _relaxer_, from Latin _relaxāre_ (“relax, loosen, open”), from _re-_ (“back”) + _laxāre_ (“loosen”), from _laxus_ (“loose, free”).

RELAX (_third-person singular simple present_ RELAXES, _present participle_ RELAXING, _simple past and past participle_ RELAXED) * (transitive) To calm down. * (transitive) To make something loose. _to RELAX a rope or cord; to RELAX the muscles or sinews_ * Milton Horror […] all his joints RELAXED. * (intransitive) To become loose. * (transitive) To make something less severe or tense. _to RELAX discipline; to RELAX one's attention or endeavours_ * (intransitive) To become less severe or tense. * (transitive) To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient. * Jonathan Swift The stature of mortmain was at several times RELAXED by the legislature. * (intransitive, of codes and regulations) To become more lenient. * (transitive) To relieve (something) from stress. _Amusement RELAXES the mind._ * (transitive, dated) To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open. _An aperient RELAXES the bowels._ ANTONYMS * stress, excite DERIVED TERMS * relaxable TRANSLATIONS

* laxer

RELAX