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Webster 1913 Edition


Loosen

Loos′en

(loōs′’n)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Loosened
(loōs′’nd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Loosening
.]
[See
Loose
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
To make loose; to free from tightness, tension, firmness, or fixedness; to make less dense or compact;
as, to
loosen
a string, or a knot; to
loosen
a rock in the earth.
After a year’s rooting, then shaking doth the tree good by
loosening
of the earth.
Bacon.
2.
To free from restraint; to set at liberty..
It
loosens
his hands, and assists his understanding.
Dryden.
3.
To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase the alvine discharges of.
Bacon.

Loos′en

,
Verb.
I.
To become loose; to become less tight, firm, or compact.
S. Sharp.

Webster 1828 Edition


Loosen

LOOS'EN

,
Verb.
T.
loos'n. [from loose.]
1.
To free from tightness, tension, firmness or fixedness; as, to loosen a string when tied, or a knot; to loosen a joint; to loosen a rock in the earth.
2.
To render less dense or compact; as, to loosen the earth about the roots of a tree.
3.
To free from restraint.
It loosens his hands and assists his understanding.
4.
To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase alvine discharges.
Fear looseneth the belly.

LOOS'EN

,
Verb.
I.
To become loose; to become less tight, firm or compact.

Definition 2024


loosen

loosen

English

Verb

loosen (third-person singular simple present loosens, present participle loosening, simple past and past participle loosened)

  1. To make loose.
    to loosen a knot
    After the Thanksgiving meal, Bill loosened his belt.
    • Francis Bacon
      After a year's rooting, then shaking doth the tree good by loosening of the earth.
  2. To free from restraint; to set at liberty.
    • Dryden
      It loosens his hands, and assists his understanding.
  3. To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase the alvine discharges of.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Francis Bacon to this entry?)

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