loosening
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Related to loosening: tightening, loosening of association
loos·en
(lo͞o′sən)v. loos·ened, loos·en·ing, loos·ens
v.tr.
1. To make looser or less tight: loosened his tie; loosened her grip on the rope.
2. To free from restraint, pressure, or strictness: loosened the requirements for graduation.
3. To free (the bowels) from constipation.
v.intr.
Phrasal Verb: To become loose or looser: My shoelace has loosened.
loosen up
1. To do stretches or light exercise before a more strenuous activity.
2. To become less strict or tense, as in one's demeanor; relax: always loosened up after he got home.
[Middle English lousnen, losnen, from losen, from los, loose; see loose.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
loosening
(ˈluːsənɪŋ)n
a relaxing of something: a loosening of monetary policy.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
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Noun | 1. | loosening - an occurrence of control or strength weakening; "the relaxation of requirements"; "the loosening of his grip"; "the slackening of the wind" weakening - becoming weaker thaw - a relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming less hostile; "the thaw between the United States and Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs" |
2. | loosening - the act of making something less tight unfastening, untying, undoing - loosening the ties that fasten something; "the tying of bow ties is an art; the untying is easy" modification, adjustment, alteration - the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment) tightening - the act of making something tighter; "the tightening of economic controls" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005