laxity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a lack of strictness, care, or discipline

   Regulatory laxity allowed unsafe practices to continue for years.

2. 2
   noun

   an abnormal or excessive looseness of a body tissue or joint

   The examination revealed ligament laxity in the injured knee.

Borrowed through French laxite from Latin laxitas, 'looseness,' from laxus, 'loose or slack.' Its figurative sense applies physical slackness to insufficient rigor or discipline.

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