release English · revision 3411

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=la relaxāre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /rɪˈliːs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|relesen]], [[bor|fro|relaissier|t=to relinquish, let go]], also relesser,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) a variant of [[m|fro|relacher|t=to release, relax]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) from [[la|relaxāre|t=to loosen]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[relax]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966) Latin relaxāre is from [[m|la|re-|t=back]] and [[m|la|laxāre|t=to loosen]], from [[ine-pro|*sleg-|t=to be slack]].^(Etymonline) The noun is Middle English reles, from Old French reles, a back-formation from relesser.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To withdraw, revoke or cancel a decree or sentence: about 1300^(Etymonline) or 1297.^(OED 1989) The noun first meant deliverance from trouble or pain, in the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To relieve, alleviate” is from the mid-14th century, as is “to set free from a duty”.^(Etymonline) Barnhart notes that “to set free, let go” is first recorded about 1350, perhaps weakened from the earlier “to free from pain”.^(Barnhart 1988) Setting free from prison is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and in law the release of property is from about 1400.^(Etymonline) The spelling ''release'' is from 1464.^(Barnhart 1988) The modern senses of publication are recent: to release news to the press is from 1904, a film from 1912 and a music recording by 1962.^(Etymonline) A news item or statement for the press is a release by 1927,^(Etymonline) and a written permission to publish from 1965.^(OED 1989) In psychology, release from emotional tension is from 1915.^(OED 1989) As a euphemism for dismissal from a job, it is American by 1904.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – to revoke, cancel.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 14th century – noun, deliverance.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1350 – to set free.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – legal release of property.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1464 – the spelling ''release''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1904 – to release news.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1912 – to release a film.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1927 – a press release.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1962 – a music release.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To set free from [[confinement]] or restraint.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To let go of something held or fastened.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To free from a [[debt]] or obligation.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To make available to the public, as a film, recording or piece of news.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(law)'' To give up a right or claim to another.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # Freedom from confinement, restraint or suffering.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A device that unfastens a mechanism.^(AHD)

+ # Something issued for the public, such as a film, recording or [[press release]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(law)'' A document giving up a claim or right.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[releasable]]

+ * [[releasability]]

+ * [[controlled-release]]

+ * [[prerelease]]

+ * [[time-release]]

+ * [[timed-release]]

+ * [[nonrelease]]

+ * [[releaser]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[relax]]

+ * [[relish]]

+ * [[lax]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The OED records an unrelated, obsolete ''release'' meaning “relish”, from 1604.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}