v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. (often foll. by from) set free; liberate, unfasten.
2 allow to move from a fixed position.
3 a make (information, a recording, etc.) publicly or generally available. b issue (a film etc.) for general exhibition.
4 Law a remit (a debt). b surrender (a right). c make over (property or money) to another.
--n.
1. deliverance or liberation from a restriction, duty, or difficulty.
2 a handle or catch that releases part of a mechanism.
3 a document or item of information made available for publication (press release).
4 a a film or record etc. that is released. b the act or an instance of releasing or the process of being released in this way.
5 Law a the act of releasing (property, money, or a right) to another. b a document effecting this.
Derivatives:
releasable adj. releasee n. (in sense 4 of v.). releaser n. releasor n. (in sense 4 of v.).
Etymology: ME f. OF reles (n.), relesser (v.), relaiss(i)er f. L relaxare: see RELAX