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.