Rel"a*tive*ness, n. The state of being relative, or having relation;
relativity.
Rel`a*tiv"i*ty (-t?v"?-t?), n. The state of being relative; as, the
relativity of a subject. Coleridge.
Re*lat"or (r?-l?t"?r), n. [ L.: cf. F. relateur. See Relate.] 1. One
who relates; a relater. "The several relators of this history." Fuller.
2. (Law) A private person at whose relation, or in whose behalf, the
attorney-general allows an information in the nature of a quo warranto
to be filed.
Re*lat"rix (-r?ks), n. [L.] (Law) A female relator.
Re*lax" (r?-l?ks"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relaxed (-l?kst"); p. pr. & vb.
n. Relaxing.] [L. relaxare; pref. re- re- + laxare to loose, to
slacken, from laxus loose. See Lax, and cf. Relay, n., Release.] 1. 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.
Horror . . . all his joints relaxed.
Milton.
Nor served it to relax their serried files.
Milton.
2. 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.
The statute of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the
legislature.
Swift.
3. Hence, to relieve from attention or effort; to ease; to recreate; to
divert; as, amusement relaxes the mind.
4. To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open; as, an aperient
relaxes the bowels.
Syn. -- To slacken; loosen; loose; remit; abate; mitigate; ease;
unbend; divert.
Re*lax", v. i. 1. To become lax, weak, or loose; as, to let one's grasp
relax.
His knees relax with toil.
Pope.