# relax

Pronunciation: say "ri-LAKS" /ɹɪˈlæks/

## Verb

1. To rest and recover from stress or tension.
   - Simple: To rest and let go of worry or stress.
   - _We relax on the porch every evening after dinner._
   - _He needs to relax before the big interview tomorrow._
2. To free someone, or someone's mind, of stress; to help them rest or calm down.
   - Simple: To help someone feel calm and free from stress.
   - _Her reassuring words relaxed the whole team before the launch._
   - _A short walk can relax you more than an hour of sitting._
3. To become less severe, strict, or tense.
   - Simple: To become less tense or less harsh.
   - _Relations between the rivals slowly relax when trade resumes._
   - _Her stern expression relaxed into a gentle smile._
4. To cause something to become less severe or tense.
   - Simple: To make something less tight, strict, or tense.
   - _Stretching exercises relax the muscles after a hard workout._
   - _A few kind words relaxed the tension in the negotiation._
5. To ease rules, codes, or restrictions so that they become more lenient.
   - Simple: To make rules or laws less strict than before.
   - _The government relaxed travel restrictions after infection rates dropped._
   - _Schools agreed to relax their uniform rules for the summer term._
6. To become more lenient or less strict.
   - Simple: To become less strict over time.
   - _Lending standards relaxed as the economy recovered._
   - _Censorship rules tend to relax during periods of political openness._
7. To loosen or become less taut.
   - Simple: To become loose or less tight.
   - _The straps relaxed once the buckle was released._
   - _Over time, the tightly wound spring will relax._
8. To cause something to become loose.
   - Simple: To make something loose or less tight.
   - _He relaxed the reins to let the horse slow down._
   - _Gentle stretches relax the stiff tendons in the legs._

## Verb

9. To relieve someone from constipation by loosening or opening the bowels. *(dated)*
   - Simple: To help the bowels move and relieve constipation.
   - _Apothecaries sold syrups that claimed to relax the bowels overnight._
   - _The old physician used senna to relax a patient bound up for days._

## Origin

From Middle English relaxen, via Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre ("relax, loosen, open"), formed from re- ("back") plus laxāre ("loosen"), which derives from laxus ("loose, free").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/relax (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).