relax

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To rest and become calm, free from worry or effort.

   I relaxed in the hot tub with some friends.

2. 2
   verb

   To make someone feel calm and free from stress.

   A hot bath always relaxes me.

3. 3
   verb

   To make a rule or control less strict, or to become less strict.

   The government relaxed the rules after the protests ended.

4. 4
   verb

   To make a part of the body less tight or tense.

   Take a deep breath and relax your shoulders.

From Middle English relaxen, from Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre (“relax, loosen, open”), from re- (“back”) + laxāre (“loosen”), from laxus (“loose, free”). By surface analysis, re- + lax (“open, free, loose”).

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