release

re•lease

[[t]rɪˈlis[/t]] v. -leased, -leas•ing, n.

1) to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go

2) to free from anything that restrains or fastens; loose

3) to allow to be known, issued, done, or exhibited:

to release an article for publication[/ex]

4) law to relinquish or surrender (a legal right, claim, etc.)

5) a freeing or releasing from confinement, obligation, pain, emotional strain, etc

6) liberation from anything that restrains or fastens

7) a device or agency that effects such liberation

8) a grant of permission, as to publish, use, or sell something

9) the releasing of something for publication, performance, use, exhibition, or sale

10) a film, book, record, etc., that is released

11) law

a) the surrender of a legal right or the like to another

b) a document embodying such a surrender

12) mac a control mechanism for starting or stopping a machine, esp. by removing some restrictive apparatus

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Etymology: 1250–1300; (v.) ME reles(s) en < OF relesser, relaissier < L relaxāre to loosen (see relax); (n.) ME reles(e) < OF reles, relais, der. of the v. re•leas′a•ble, adj. re•leas`a•bil′i•ty, n. syn: release, free, dismiss, discharge, liberate all mean to let loose or let go. release and free both suggest a helpful action; they may be used of delivering a person from confinement or obligation: to release prisoners; to free a student from certain course requirements. dismiss usu. means to force to go unwillingly; however, it may also refer to giving permission to go: to dismiss an employee; to dismiss a class. discharge usu. means to relieve of an obligation, office, etc.; it may also mean to permit to go: The soldier was discharged. The hospital discharged the patient. liberate suggests particularly the deliverance from unjust punishment, oppression, or the like, and often means to set free through forcible or military action: to liberate occupied territories.