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loosen

 - 2 dictionary results

loos⋅en

  [loo-suhn]
Use loosen in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to unfasten or undo, as a bond or fetter.
2. to make less tight; slacken or relax: to loosen one's grasp.
3. to make less firmly fixed in place: to loosen a tooth.
4. to let loose or set free from bonds, restraint, or constraint.
5. to make less close or compact in structure or arrangement.
6. to make less dense or coherent: to loosen the soil in a garden.
7. to relax in strictness or severity, as restraint or discipline: to loosen restrictions on trade.
8. to relieve (the bowels) of their constipated condition.
–verb (used without object)
9. to become loose or looser (sometimes fol. by up): His hold loosened. Your shoes will loosen up with wear.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME loosnen. See loose, -en 1

Related forms:
loos⋅en⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To loosen
loos·en   (lōō'sən)   
v.   loos·ened, loos·en·ing, loos·ens

v.   tr.

  1. To untie or make looser.

  2. To free from restraint, pressure, or strictness.

  3. To free (the bowels) from constipation.

v.   intr.
To become loose or looser.

[Middle English lousnen, losnen, from losen, from los, loose; see loose.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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