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v. re·laxed, re·lax·ing, re·lax·es v.tr. 1. To make lax or loose: relax one's grip. 2. To make less severe or strict: relax a curfew. 3. To reduce in intensity; slacken: relax one's efforts. 4. To relieve from tension or strain: The warm bath relaxed me. v.intr. 1. To take one's ease; rest. 2. To become lax or loose. 3. To become less severe or strict. 4. To become less restrained or tense. [Middle English relaxen, from Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre : re-, re- + laxāre, to loosen (from laxus, loose; see slēg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] re·laxa·ble adj. |
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