v.
Pronunciation: ' lü-s ə n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: loos · ened ; loos · en · ing \ ' lüs-ni ŋ , ' lü-s ə n-i ŋ \
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to release from restraint
2 : to make looser < loosen ed his tie> < loosen a screw>
3 : to relieve (the bowels) of constipation
4 : to cause or permit to become less strict ― often used with up < loosen ed the rules>
intransitive verb : to become loose or looser