Collins English-English Dictionary

relax [rɪ'læks]

1. 1. vb to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid

2. 2. vi. [intr] to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort

   on Sundays, she just relaxes

   she relaxes by playing golf

3. 3. vi. to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished

4. 4. vi. to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity

5. 5. vi. [intr] (of a person) to become less formal; unbend

6. 6. vi. [Etymology] C15: from Latin relaxare to loosen, from re- + laxare to loosen, from laxus loose, lax