See Also: Release(medicine)
Release(money)
Release(finance)
pre-release(dictionary)
re-release(dictionary)
release(1)(dictionary)
release(2)(dictionary)
day release(dictionary)
re-release(dictionary)
RELEASE(law)

release(2) (iou)



release verb trans. ME.
[Old French relesser, relaiss(i)er from Latin relaxare RELAX verb.]
I. Withdraw, recall, or revoke (a sentence, punishment, condition, etc.). ME-L17.
Relieve or remove (pain, trouble, etc.). ME-L16.
Chiefly Law. Remit or discharge (a debt, tax, etc.). Formerly also, discharge (a vow or task). ME.
a. Give up, relinquish, surrender (esp. a right or claim). LME.
b. Chiefly Law. Make over or transfer (property or money) to another. LME.
c. Of an authority: make publicly available (requisitioned property etc.); return to general use. E20.
Relax, moderate, mitigate. LME-L17.
II.
Set or make free; liberate; deliver from pain, an obligation, etc.; free from physical restraint, confinement, or imprisonment; allow to move, drop, or operate, by removing a restraining part; let go (one's hold etc.). (Foll. by from.) ME.
H. Reed The safety-catch..is..released with an easy flick of the thumb. W. Gass Fender's fork poked through the crust of his pie, releasing steam. A. Kenny I had not been released from the Church's law of celibacy. M. Das It should not be too difficult to get Sudhir Babu released on bail. I. Murdoch He released Patrick's hand and stood up.
b. Give free rein to (an emotional or instinctual drive); ease (tension). M20.
L. Nkosi Something was released within her that..transformed her.
Publish or make available for publication (a document, piece of information, etc.); make available to the public (a film, recording, etc.). E20.
Blitz Too many records get released and the distribution network gets clogged up. P. D. James We shan't release any forensic information.
Comb.: releasing factor Physiology any of several oligopeptides released from the hypothalamus which promote the release of a specific hormone from the adenohypophysis.
relea'see noun (a) Law (now rare) a person to whom an estate is released; (b) US a person released from confinement or imprisonment: E18.
releasement noun (now rare) release from prison, obligation, debt, trouble, etc. M16.
releasor noun (chiefly Law) a person who releases property, a claim, etc., in favour of another E17.