relax

Etymology

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

verb

1. (transitive) To calm down.
2. (transitive) To make something loose.
   to relax a rope or cord
   to relax the muscles or sinews
3. (intransitive) To become loose.
   I relax in the living room. Audio (US) (file) 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
4. (transitive) To make something less severe or tense.
   to relax discipline
   to relax one's attention or endeavours
5. (intransitive) To become less severe or tense.
6. (transitive) To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient.
   The statute of mortmain[…] was at several times relaxed by the legislature. 1713, Jonathan Swift, A Preface to Bishop Burnet's Introduction
   The Court rejected the contention that the doctrine of sovereign immunity should be relaxed as inapplicable to suits for specific relief as distinguished from damage suits, saying: "The Government, as representative of the community as a whole, cannot be stopped in its tracks by any plaintiff who presents a disputed question of property or contract right." 1953, “Section 2. Jurisdiction”, in Edward Samuel Corwin, editor, The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation, page 589
7. (intransitive, of codes and regulations) To become more lenient.
8. (transitive) To relieve (something) from stress.
   Amusement relaxes the mind.
9. (transitive, dated) To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open.
   An aperient relaxes the bowels.