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 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; mitigate; ease; unbend; divert.