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(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 rigorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in respect to strenuousness, earnestness, or effort; as, to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavors. The statute of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legislature. 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; Relax" 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" n.Relaxation. [Obs.] Feltham. Relax" a.Relaxed; lax; hence, remiss; careless. スポンサード リンク
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