relax

re|lax

W3S3 [rıˈlæks] v

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1¦(rest)¦

2¦(become calm)¦

3¦(muscle)¦

4¦(rules/laws)¦

5 relax your hold/grip

6 relax your concentration/vigilance etc

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[Date: 1300-1400; : Latin; Origin: relaxare 'to loosen', from laxus 'loose']

1.) ¦(REST)¦ [I and T]

to rest or do something that is enjoyable, especially after you have been working

▪ I just want to sit down and relax.

▪ What Robyn needed was a drink to relax her.

▪ A hot bath should help to relax you.

2.) ¦(BECOME CALM)¦ [I and T]

to become quiet and calm after you have been upset or nervous, or to make someone do this

▪ Once out of danger, he started to relax.

▪ Relax! Everything's fine.

3.) ¦(MUSCLE)¦ [I and T]

if you relax a part of your body or it relaxes, it becomes less stiff or less tight

▪ Gentle exercise can relax stiff shoulder muscles.

4.) ¦(RULES/LAWS)¦ [T]

to make a rule or law less strict

relax rules/regulations/controls

▪ Hughes believes that immigration controls should not be relaxed.

5.) relax your hold/grip

a) to hold something less tightly than before

relax your hold/grip on

▪ He relaxed his grip on my arm.

b) to become less strict in the way you control something

relax your hold/grip on

▪ The party has no intention of relaxing its hold on the country.

6.) relax your concentration/vigilance etc

to reduce the amount of attention you give to something