adj., lax·er, lax·est.
- Lacking in rigor, strictness, or firmness. See synonyms at negligent.
- Not taut, firm, or compact; slack. See synonyms at loose.
- Loose and not easily retained or controlled. Used of bowel movements.
- Linguistics. Pronounced with the muscles of the tongue and jaw relatively relaxed, as the vowel (ĕ) in let.
[Middle English, from Latin laxus, loose, lax.]
laxation lax·a'tion n.laxly lax'ly adv.
laxness lax'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
