Main Entry: ¹lax

Pronunciation: \ˈlaks\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin laxus loose — more at slack

Date: 14th century

1 a of the bowels : loose, open b : having loose bowels
2 : deficient in firmness : not stringent <lax control> <a lax foreman>
3 a : not tense, firm, or rigid : slack <a lax rope> b : having an open or loose texture c : having the constituents spread apart <a lax flower cluster>
4 : articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (as the vowel \i\ in contrast with the vowel \ē\)

synonyms see negligent

— lax·a·tion \lak-ˈsā-shən\ noun

— lax·ly \ˈlaks-lē\ adverb

— lax·ness noun