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relaxes

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re⋅lax

  [ri-laks]
Use relaxes in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax: to relax the muscles.
2. to diminish the force of.
3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc.: to relax the requirements for a license.
5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.: A short swim always relaxes me.
–verb (used without object)
6. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.
7. to become less strict or severe; grow milder.
8. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., esp. for the sake of rest or recreation.
9. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME relaxen < L relaxāre to stretch out again, loosen, equiv. to re- re- + laxāre to loosen, deriv. of laxus slack, lax

Related forms:
re⋅lax⋅a⋅tive, re⋅lax⋅a⋅tory  [ri-lak-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
re⋅lax⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1, 6. loosen, slacken. 2. mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce. 4. ease. 6. unbend. 7. relent, soften.

Antonyms:
1, 6. tighten, tense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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re·lax   (rĭ-lāks')   
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 Indo-European roots).]
re·lax'a·ble adj.
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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Word Origin & History

relax 
c.1420, "to make (something) less compact or dense," from O.Fr. relaxer (14c.), from L. relaxare "relax, loosen, open," from re- "back" + laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (see lax). Of persons, attested from 1837, "to become less formal;" meaning "to become less tense" is recorded from 1935. Relaxation "relief from work" first recorded 1548.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·lax
Pronunciation: ri-'laks
Function: transitive verb
1 : to slacken or make less tense or rigid relaxing their muscles>
2 : to relieve from nervous tension
3 : to relieve from constipation <relax a mare's bowels by puttingher on wet bran> relax intransitive senses
1 of a muscle or muscle fiber : to become inactive and lengthen
2 : to cast off socialrestraint, nervous tension, or anxiety relax in crowds>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

relax re·lax (rĭ-lāks')
v. re·laxed, re·lax·ing, re·lax·es

  1. To make or become lax or loose.

  2. To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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