• To make lax or loose; to make less close, firm, rigid, tense, or the like; to slacken; to loosen; to open; as, to relax a rope or cord; to relax the muscles or sinews. • To make less severe or rigorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in respect to strenuousness, earnestness, or effort; as, to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavors. • Hence, to relieve from attention or effort; to ease; to recreate; to divert; as, amusement relaxes the mind. • To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open; as, an aperient relaxes the bowels. • To become lax, weak, or loose; as, to let one's grasp relax. • To abate in severity; to become less rigorous. • To remit attention or effort; to become less diligent; to unbend; as, to relax in study. • Relaxation. • Relaxed; lax; hence, remiss; careless.