lax´ness

lax´ness
lax «laks», adjective.
1. not firm or tight; slack: »

The package was tied so loosely that the cord was lax.

SYNONYM(S): relaxed, flabby, loose.
2. not strict; careless: »

Don't become lax about the schedule you have set for studying. The states have been lax in passing safety regulations requiring seat belts in school buses (New York Times).

 SYNONYM(S): negligent, remiss.
3. not exact or precise; vague: »

in a lax way of speaking (Joseph Butler).

4. loose in morals: »

Richard [Cromwell] was known to be lax and godless in his conduct (John Richard Green).

5. loose in texture; loosely cohering or compacted, as of tissue, stone, or soil.
6. Botany. loose or open; not compact, as some panicles are.
7. Phonetics. pronounced with the muscles of the articulating organs relatively relaxed; wide: »

lax vowels.

8. acting easily; loose, especially of the bowels.
╂[< Latin laxus loose]
–lax´ly, adverb.
–lax´ness, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • lax´ly — lax «laks», adjective. 1. not firm or tight; slack: »The package was tied so loosely that the cord was lax. SYNONYM(S): relaxed, flabby, loose. 2. not strict; careless: »Don t become lax about the schedule you have set for studying. The states… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lax — aga·lax·ia; an·a·phy·lax·is; an·ti·an·a·phy·lax·is; ar·chal·lax·is; char·toph·y·lax; ga·lax; ga·lax·i·al; ga·lax·i·as; ga·lax·ite; go·ni·au·lax; go·ny·au·lax; lax·ate; lax·a·tion; lax·ism; lax·ist; lax·i·ty; lax·ly; lax·ness; ma·lax;… …   English syllables

  • lax — [[t]læks[/t]] adj. er, est 1) not strict or severe; negligent: lax morals[/ex] 2) loose or slack: a lax rope[/ex] 3) not rigidly exact or precise; vague: lax ideas[/ex] 4) loose, open, or not retentive, as the bowels 5) having the bowels loose or …   From formal English to slang

  • lax´a|tive|ness — lax|a|tive «LAK suh tihv», noun, adjective. –n. a medicine that speeds the emptying of the bowels. –adj. 1. helping to empty the bowels; mildly purgative. 2. having the property of relaxing. 3. Obsolete. unable to contain one s speech or emotions …   Useful english dictionary

  • ness — ness·ber·ry; ness·ler·iza·tion; ness·ler·ize; ness·ler s; new·fan·gled·ness; new·ness; news·i·ness; nice·ness; nig·gard·li·ness; nig·gard·ness; nigh·ness; nip·pi·ness; no·ble·ness; nois·i·ness; non·cha·lant·ness; north·er·li·ness; north·ness;… …   English syllables

  • lax´a|tive|ly — lax|a|tive «LAK suh tihv», noun, adjective. –n. a medicine that speeds the emptying of the bowels. –adj. 1. helping to empty the bowels; mildly purgative. 2. having the property of relaxing. 3. Obsolete. unable to contain one s speech or emotions …   Useful english dictionary

  • lax|a|tive — «LAK suh tihv», noun, adjective. –n. a medicine that speeds the emptying of the bowels. –adj. 1. helping to empty the bowels; mildly purgative. 2. having the property of relaxing. 3. Obsolete. unable to contain one s speech or emotions: »Fellowes …   Useful english dictionary

  • lush´ness — lush1 «luhsh», adjective. 1. tender and juicy; growing thick and green: »Lush grass grows along the riverbank. SYNONYM(S): succulent. 2. characterized by abundant growth; producing abundantly: »As the year Grows lush in juicy stalks (Keats). 3.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • dis´so|lute´ness — dis|so|lute «DIHS uhoot», adjective. 1. living an immoral life; very wicked; immoral: »The dissolute young man had a very bad reputation. The nobles were lawless and dissolute (John R. Green). SYNONYM(S): dissipated, licentious, profligate, lewd …   Useful english dictionary

  • lan´guid-ness — lan|guid «LANG gwihd», adjective. 1. feeling weak; without energy; drooping: »A hot, sticky day makes a person feel languid. SYNONYM(S): weary, fatigued, exhausted. 2. without interest or enthusiasm; indifferent: »The lazy boy felt too languid to …   Useful english dictionary

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