Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Relax \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.

Source : WordNet®

relaxing
     adj : affording or marked by rest or repose; "the time spent was
           pleasant and relaxing"; "a restful night"; "a cool and
           reposeful glen" [syn: {restful}, {reposeful}]