Adjacent Words

Release definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

RELE'ASE, v.t.
1. To set free from restraint of any kind, either physical or moral; to liberate from prison, confinement or servitude.
Matthew 15. Mark 15.
2. To free from pain, care, trouble, grief, etc.
3. To free from obligation or penalty; as, to release one from debt, from a promise or covenant.
4. To quit; to let go, as a legal claim; as, to release a debt or forfeiture. Deutoronomy 15.
5. To discharge or relinquish a right to lands or tenements, by conveying it to another that has some right or estate in possession, as when the person in remainder releases his right to the tenant in possession; when one co-parcener releases his right to the other; or the mortgagee releases his claim to the mortgager.
6. To relax. [Not in use.]
RELE'ASE, n.
1. Liberation or discharge from restraint of any kind, as from confinement or bondage.
2. Liberation from care, pain or any burden.
3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt, penalty or claim of any kind; acquittance.
4. In law, a release or deed of release is a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim. The efficient words in such an instrument are, "remised, released, and forever quitclaimed."

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film); "a new release from the London Symphony Orchestra"
2: the act of liberating someone or something [syn: liberation, release, freeing]
3: a process that liberates or discharges something; "there was a sudden release of oxygen"; "the release of iodine from the thyroid gland"
4: an announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation [syn: handout, press release, release]
5: the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart) [syn: dismissal, dismission, discharge, firing, liberation, release, sack, sacking]
6: euphemistic expressions for death; "thousands mourned his passing" [syn: passing, loss, departure, exit, expiration, going, release]
7: a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation [syn: acquittance, release]
8: a device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism [syn: release, button]
9: activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion; "she had no other outlet for her feelings"; "he gave vent to his anger" [syn: release, outlet, vent]
10: the act of allowing a fluid to escape [syn: spill, spillage, release]
11: a formal written statement of relinquishment [syn: release, waiver, discharge]
12: (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone [syn: release, tone ending] v
1: release, as from one's grip; "Let go of the door handle, please!"; "relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall" [syn: let go of, let go, release, relinquish] [ant: hold, take hold]
2: grant freedom to; free from confinement [syn: free, liberate, release, unloose, unloosen, loose] [ant: confine, detain]
3: let (something) fall or spill from a container; "turn the flour onto a plate" [syn: turn, release]
4: prepare and issue for public distribution or sale; "publish a magazine or newspaper" [syn: publish, bring out, put out, issue, release]
5: eliminate (a substance); "combustion products are exhausted in the engine"; "the plant releases a gas" [syn: exhaust, discharge, expel, eject, release]
6: generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids; "secrete digestive juices"; "release a hormone into the blood stream" [syn: secrete, release]
7: make (information) available for publication; "release the list with the names of the prisoners" [syn: free, release]
8: part with a possession or right; "I am relinquishing my bedroom to the long-term house guest"; "resign a claim to the throne" [syn: release, relinquish, resign, free, give up]
9: release (gas or energy) as a result of a chemical reaction or physical decomposition [syn: release, free, liberate]
10: make (assets) available; "release the holdings in the dictator's bank account" [syn: unblock, unfreeze, free, release] [ant: block, freeze, immobilise, immobilize]

Merriam Webster's

I. verb (released; releasing) Etymology: Middle English relesen, from Anglo-French relesser, from Latin relaxare to relax Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude <release hostages> <release pent-up emotions> <release the brakes>; also to let go ; dismiss <released from her job> 2. to relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses <was released from her promise> 3. to give up in favor of another ; relinquish <release a claim to property> 4. to give permission for publication, performance, exhibition, or sale of; also to make available to the public <the commission released its findings> <release a new movie> intransitive verb to move from one's normal position (as in football or basketball) in order to assume another position or to perform a second assignment Synonyms: see free • releasable adjective II. noun Etymology: Middle English reles, from Anglo-French, from relesser Date: 14th century 1. relief or deliverance from sorrow, suffering, or trouble 2. a. discharge from obligation or responsibility b. (1) relinquishment of a right or claim (2) an act by which a legal right is discharged; specifically a conveyance of a right in lands or tenements to another having an estate in possession 3. a. the act or an instance of liberating or freeing (as from restraint) b. the act or manner of concluding a musical tone or phrase c. the act or manner of ending a sound ; the movement of one or more vocal organs in quitting the position for a speech sound d. the action or manner of throwing a ball <has a quick release> 4. an instrument effecting a legal release 5. the state of being freed 6. a device adapted to hold or release a mechanism as required 7. a. the act of permitting performance or publication; also performance, publication <became a best seller on its release> b. the matter released; especially a statement prepared for the press

U.S. Military Dictionary

(*) In air armament, the intentional separation of a free-fall aircraft store, from its suspension equipment, for purposes of employment of the store.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

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

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Release Re*lease", n. 1. (Mach.) A device adapted to hold or release a device or mechanism as required; specif.: (Elec.) A catch on a motor-starting rheostat, which automatically releases the rheostat arm and so stops the motor in case of a break in the field circuit; also, the catch on an electromagnetic circuit breaker for a motor, which acts in case of an overload. 2. (Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound. 3. (Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card conveying information and instructions to be used at intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Release Re*lease" (r?-l?s"), v. t. [Pref. re + lease to let.] To lease again; to grant a new lease of; to let back.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Release Re*lease" (r?-l?s"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Released (r?*l?st"); p. pr. & vb. n. Releasing.] [OE. relessen, OF. relassier, to release, to let free. See Relay, n., Relax, and cf. Release to lease again.] 1. To let loose again; to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude; to give liberty to, or to set at liberty; to let go. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. --Mark xv. 6. 2. To relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses, as from pain, trouble, obligation, penalty. 3. (Law) To let go, as a legal claim; to discharge or relinquish a right to, as lands or tenements, by conveying to another who has some right or estate in possession, as when the person in remainder releases his right to the tenant in possession; to quit. 4. To loosen; to relax; to remove the obligation of; as, to release an ordinance. [Obs.] --Hooker. A sacred vow that none should aye release. --Spenser. Syn: To free; liberate; loose; discharge; disengage; extricate; let go; quit; acquit.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Release Re*lease", n. 1. The act of letting loose or freeing, or the state of being let loose or freed; liberation or discharge from restraint of any kind, as from confinement or bondage. ``Who boast'st release from hell.'' --Milton. 2. Relief from care, pain, or any burden. 3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt, penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance. 4. (Law) A giving up or relinquishment of some right or claim; a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim. --Blackstone. 5. (Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to allow the steam to escape. Lease and release. (Law) See under Lease. Out of release, without cessation. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Syn: Liberation; freedom; discharge. See Death.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(releases, releasing, released) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If a person or animal is released from somewhere where they have been locked up or looked after, they are set free or allowed to go. He was released from custody the next day... He was released on bail. VERB: usu passive, be V-ed from n, be V-ed 2. When someone is released, you refer to their release. He called for the immediate release of all political prisoners. N-COUNT: with supp 3. If someone or something releases you from a duty, task, or feeling, they free you from it. (FORMAL) Divorce releases both the husband and wife from all marital obligations to each other... This releases the teacher to work with individuals who are having extreme difficulty. VERB: V n from n, V n • Release is also a noun. ...release from stored tensions, traumas and grief... N-UNCOUNT: also a N, oft N from N 4. To release feelings or abilities means to allow them to be expressed. Becoming your own person releases your creativity... VERB: V n • Release is also a noun. She felt the sudden sweet release of her own tears. N-UNCOUNT 5. If someone in authority releases something such as a document or information, they make it available. They're not releasing any more details yet... VERB: V n • Release is also a noun. Action had been taken to speed up the release of cheques. N-COUNT: with supp 6. If you release someone or something, you stop holding them. (FORMAL) He stopped and faced her, releasing her wrist. VERB: V n 7. If you release a device, you move it so that it stops holding something. Wade released the hand brake and pulled away from the curb. VERB 8. If something releases gas, heat, or a substance, it causes it to leave its container or the substance that it was part of and enter the surrounding atmosphere or area. ...a weapon which releases toxic nerve gas... VERB: V n • Release is also a noun. Under the agreement, releases of cancer-causing chemicals will be cut by about 80 per cent. N-COUNT: with supp 9. When an entertainer or company releases a new CD, video, or film, it becomes available so that people can buy it or see it. He is releasing an album of love songs. VERB: V n 10. A new release is a new CD, video, or film that has just become available for people to buy or see. Which of the new releases do you think are really good? N-COUNT 11. If a film or video is on release or on general release, it is available for people to see in public cinemas or for people to buy. The video has sold three million copies in its first three weeks on release. N-UNCOUNT: on N 12. see also day release, news release, press release

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

re-les': (1) The forgiveness of a debt (shemiTTah (De 15:1,2,9; 31:10; see JUBILEE YEAR)), with verb shamaT, "to release," De 31:2,3. (2) To exempt from taxation or military service (hanachah, "release," "rest" (Es 2:18)). Some would render "granted a holiday." (3) To set a prisoner or slave at liberty (apoluo, "to let go free" (Mt 27:15 parallel Joh 19:10), etc.).

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Liberate, unloose, free, loose, disengage, discharge, deliver, exempt, extricate, set free, set at liberty, let loose, let out. 2. Quit, let go, give up, acquit, remit, discharge, relinquish. 3. Free. II. n. 1. Liberation, deliverance, discharge, freedom. 2. Exemption, exoneration, excuse, dispensation, absolution. 3. Acquittance, clearance, receipt in full.

Moby Thesaurus

OK, abandonment, abjuration, absolution, absolve, accord, account, acknowledgment, acquaintance, acquit, acquittal, acquittance, admission, admit, advice, allow, allowance, amnesty, annihilation, announcement, bane, biological death, blue book, boot, bounce, break, break loose, break out, break up, breakout, breakup, briefing, bulletin, bump, bust, can, canceled check, cashier, cast loose, cast off, catharsis, cessation of life, cession, charter, circulate, cleanse, cleanse away, cleansing, clear, clearance, clearing, clinical death, come out with, communication, communique, compurgation, consent, crossing the bar, curtains, cut loose, data, datum, deactivate, deactivation, death, death knell, debrief, debt of nature, decease, decontaminate, defrock, degrade, deliver, deliverance, delivery, demise, demob, demobilization, demobilize, demote, departure, deplume, depose, deprive, destigmatization, destigmatize, destigmatizing, detach, detachment, diaspora, diplomatic immunity, directory, disband, disbandment, disbar, discharge, disculpation, disembarrass, disembroil, disemploy, disengage, disentangle, disintegrate, disintegration, disinvolve, dislodge, dismiss, dismissal, disorganization, disorganize, dispatch, dispensation, dispense, dispense from, dispense with, dispersal, disperse, dispersion, displace, displume, disposal, disposition, disseminate, dissolution, dissolve, distribute, doff, doom, drum out, dumping, dying, ebb of life, emancipate, emancipation, embassy, emergence, emotional release, end, end of life, ending, enlightenment, escape, escapism, eternal rest, evasion, evidence, except, exception, exculpate, exculpation, excuse, exempt, exempt from, exemption, exit, exonerate, exoneration, expel, expiration, express, extinction, extinguishment, extract, extricate, extrication, facts, factual information, familiarization, final summons, finger of death, fire, flight, forgive, forgiveness, forgoing, forswearing, franchise, free, free from, freedom, freeing, furlough, gen, general information, get out, getaway, getting rid of, give absolution, give dispensation from, give leave, give off, give out, give permission, give release, give respite, give the ax, give the gate, give the go-ahead, give the word, giving up, go bail for, go separate ways, going, going off, grant, grant amnesty to, grant bail to, grant immunity, grant remission, grave, guidebook, hand of death, hand out, handout, hard information, immunity, incidental information, info, information, instruction, intelligence, intermission, intermit, issuance, issue, jailbreak, jaws of death, justify, kick, kick upstairs, knell, knowledge, last debt, last muster, last rest, last roundup, last sleep, launch, lay off, leak, leakage, leave, leave go, leaving life, legislative immunity, let, let go, let go free, let loose, let loose of, let off, let out, letter, letting go, liberate, liberation, liberty, license, lifesaving, light, loose, loosen, loosing, loss of life, make available, make possible, make redundant, making an end, manumission, manumit, mention, message, muster out, nonpros, notice, notification, okay, outlet, pardon, parole, part, part company, parting, pass out, passing, passing away, passing over, patent, pension off, perishing, permission, permission to enter, permit, pneumatogram, present, presentation, press release, prisonbreak, privilege, promotional material, proof, publication, publicity, publish, purgation, purge, purge away, purging, put on parole, put out, quash the charge, quietus, quittance, ransom, read out of, recantation, receipt, receipt in full, recover, recovery, redeem, redemption, releasing, relinquish, relinquishment, remise, remission, remit, removal, remove, renunciation, replace, report, reprieve, rescue, rescuing, resign, resignation, respite, rest, retire, retraction, retrieval, retrieve, reward, riddance, sack, sacrifice, salvage, salvation, save, save the necessity, saving, say the word, scatter, sentence of death, separate, separate forcibly, separation, set at large, set free, setting-free, shades of death, shadow of death, shrive, sidelight, sleep, somatic death, spare, special permission, split up, split-up, statement, story, strip, summons of death, superannuate, surcease, surplus, surrender, suspend, suspension, swearing off, take off, tear loose, telegram, the dope, the goods, the know, the scoop, ticket, ticket of admission, transmission, turn off, turn out, unbar, unbind, unbinding, unbolt, unbolting, unbridling, unbuckle, unbuckling, unbutton, uncaging, unchain, unchaining, unclasp, unclutch, undo, unfasten, unfetter, unfettering, unfrock, ungagging, unglue, unhand, unhanding, unharnessing, unhobbling, unknot, unlace, unlashing, unlatch, unlatching, unleash, unleashing, unlock, unlocking, unloose, unloosen, unloosing, unmanacling, unmuzzling, unpenning, unravel, unshackle, unshackling, unsnarl, unstick, unstrap, unstrapping, untangle, untethering, untie, untrussing, untying, unveil, unyoking, vent, verdict of acquittal, vindicate, vindication, voucher, vouchsafe, vouchsafement, waiver, warrant, weigh anchor, white book, white paper, whitewash, withdraw the charge, word, yield, yielding