relaxation

noun

1. abatement or relief from bodily or mental work, effort, application, etc.
2. an activity or recreation that provides such relief; diversion; entertainment.
3. a loosening or slackening.
4. diminution or remission of strictness or severity.
5. Mathematics. a numerical procedure for solving systems of equations by successive approximations of the variables.
6. Physics.
   1. the return of a system undergoing dissipation to an initial state of equilibrium after being displaced from it.
   2. the approach to steady-state operation of a system that has undergone dissipation and a change in state or has been subjected to an abrupt periodic disturbance.

noun

1. rest or refreshment, as after work or effort; recreation
2. a form of rest or recreationhis relaxation is cricket
3. a partial lessening of a punishment, duty, etc
4. the act of relaxing or state of being relaxed
5. physics the return of a system to equilibrium after a displacement from this state
6. maths a method by which errors resulting from an approximation are reduced by using new approximations

n.

late 14c., “rupture; mid-15c., “remission of a burden or penalty,” from Old French relaxacion (14c.) and directly from Latin relaxationem (nominative relaxatio) “an easing, mitigation, relaxation,” noun of action from past participle stem of relaxare (see relax). Meaning “relief from hard work or ordinary cares” is from 1540s.

n.

1. The act of relaxing or the state of being relaxed.
2. Refreshment of body or mind.
3. A loosening or slackening.
4. The lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers.