rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: laxare
Latin

laxare

loosen or relax

Forms

  • laxare
  • laxat- — The form used for completed action.

Origin

Formed from Latin laxus, “loose.”

Note

Loosening can mean reducing tension, restraint, or strictness.

4 / 8
A neutral prescription container beside a relaxed illustrated muscle model, no pills in action or dosage text.
noun / adjective

relaxant

rih-LAK-suhnt/rɪˈlæksənt/

Causing relaxation or reducing tension.

Etymology
reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal
+laxLatinloosen or relax
+antLatindoing or being something

The participial formation describes something doing the loosening. An adjective meaning “causing relaxation” became a noun for a medicine or treatment that eases bodily tension or stiffness.

Full entry

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