| 释义 |
▪ I. release, n.1|rɪˈliːs|
Forms: 4–5 reles(e, -lees, 5–6 -lesse, (4 -leische, 5 Sc. -lesche; 5 -lece, -leese, 6 Sc. -leis); 5 releasse, 6 -leace, 6– release.
[a. OF. reles (12th c.), var. of relais, vbl. n. from relesser, relaisser: see release v.1]
1. a. Deliverance or liberation from trouble, pain, sorrow or the like.
c1315Shoreham i. 1067 Be nauȝt loþ To do penaunce here; For ȝet þer hys here som reles So nys nauȝt ine þe uere Areyned. c1400Rom. Rose 4440 For Love..Seide, that Hope, wher-so I go, Shulde ay be relees to my wo. c1400Chron. R. Glouc. (Rolls) App. Q. 2 Wo & sorewe to þis lond is cominge..ne worþe neuere reles. c1440York Myst. xxxvii. 288 Nowthir frende nor foo Shulde fynde reles in helle. c1560A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) v. 48 In May sowld men of amoure go To serf thair ladeis..Sen thair releis in ladeis lyis. 1794Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xxv, Emily had no opportunity of seeking a release from her terrible suspense concerning her aunt. 1819Shelley Prometh. Unb. iii. i. 64 No pity, no release, no respite! 1840Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life (1870) III. vii. 108 To me individually it would be a great release to be quit of the trouble and expense of the garden. 1878Browning La Saisiaz 330 Death's kindly touch..gave Soul and body both release from life's long nightmare in the grave.
†b. Const. of (the suffering or its cause). Obs.
1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 3565 And what may mak þair payn cees And þam of þair payn to haf relees. 1390Gower Conf. I. 81 Thei that wende pees Tho myhten finde no reles Of thilke swerd which al devoureth. 1423Jas. I Kingis Q. clxxvi, For my reconforting, In relesche of my furiouse pennance. c1430Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 236 For whosoevir unto this name calle, Of cankryd surfetys fynt reles by myracle.
c. Psychol. Liberation from emotional or physical tension. Also attrib. and in gen. use.
1915E. B. Holt Freudian Wish i. 20 Just what shall happen depends on the relative strengths of the suppressed with and of the censor, and on the amount of release which the joke affords as well as on the degree of violence which it does to the censor. 1933E. & W. Murphy tr. Bechterev's Gen. Princ. Hum. Reflexol. xxv. 272 All processes of release from inhibition are based on the retention—in the centres—of the traces of reflexes. 1934E. B. Strauss tr. Kretschmer's Text-bk. Med. Psychol. i. 12 Are they [sc. fits] not really a symptom of cortical paralysis (produced by the lesion) in the sense that they result from a release of sub-cortical activities from cortical control? 1936P. T. Young Motivation of Behav. v. 247 Tension and release occur constantly in the trivial events of daily life. 1948L. Kanner Child Psychiatry (ed. 2) xvii. 245 The term ‘release therapy’ indicates that the ventilation of specifically oriented feelings of hostility, guilt, and anxiety constitutes a main therapeutic facet. 1954A. H. Maslow Motivation & Personality xi. 187 It is very likely that catharsis, as originally defined by Breuer and Freud, is in essence a more complex variant of release behavior. 1959Times 4 Apr. 7/6 As the American male is said to approach his car as a form of self-expression, so the German sees it as an instrument of release. 1966Listener 4 Aug. 174/1 In some quarters this loss of binding traditions has resulted in the retreat beyond all controls—the anti-culture of ‘release’. 1978M. T. Erickson Child Psychopathology vi. 117 The therapeutic effect of release therapy is based on the child's acting out or talking about a traumatic event that is the source of the disturbance.
2. a. The act of freeing, or fact of being freed, from some obligation, duty, or demand; remission; discharge of a person († or troops).
c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 185 Bot if þei wille with pes þis lond ȝeld vs alle quite, Þei salle þan haf reles, of fayth gode respite. 1362Langl. P. Pl. A. vii. 83 To ha reles and remission on that rental I be-leeue. 1390Gower Conf. III. 373 My will is..that thou make a plein reles To love. c1440Promp. Parv. 428/2 Relece, or for-ȝeuenesse, relaxacio. 1530Palsgr. 261/2 Release, forgyvenesse, pardon. 1556J. Heywood Spider & F. lxxi, Bonds of good abearing shall have no release. 1622Bacon Hen. VII (1876) 65 He would not have one penny abated,..because it might encourage other counties to pray the like release or mitigation. 1671R. Montagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 507 His..losing his command by the late release of the levies. 1764Goldsm. Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) II. 170 The Spaniards, instead of granting a redress, had rather extorted a release for their former conduct. 1878Stubbs Const. Hist. xix. (1896) III. 362 Henry III..sought in a papal sentence of absolution a release from the solemn obligations by which he had bound himself to his people.
†b. Remission of a tax, debt, obligation, etc. Obs.
1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) IV. 77 Iosephus..obteynede..the fauor of the kynge and releische of his tribute. 1502Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 389 The sayd James schall hawe reles of the cheff ii.s. 1559Mirr. Mag., Jack Cade x, We desired releace of subsidies. 1651Hobbes Leviath. i. xv. 75 His Will to have it done being signified, is a release of that Covenant. 1659Pearson Creed (1839) 508 This remission or release of debts hath a great affinity with remission of sins.
c. A written discharge, acquittance, or receipt.
c1440Geste of Robyn Hood cxvii. in Child Ballads III. 62/1 ‘What wyll ye gyue more’, sayd the justice, ‘And the knyght shall make a releyse?’ 1530Rastell Bk. Purgat. iii. xiv, To make acquitaunces and relesis in his name, and to take bondes. 1611Cotgr., Quitance, an Acquitance, Release, discharge. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. xix, I..caused him to draw up a general release or discharge for the four hundred and seventy moidores. 1809R. Langford Introd. Trade 108 If a Rent be behindhand twenty years, and a release given for the last year, all the rent in arrears is presumed in law to be satisfied.
d. A written authorization or permission for publication, esp. from an owner of copyright or a person depicted in a photograph.
1965Tamarack Rev. Winter 13 Don't touch anything, and be sure to get a release. 1966K. Giles Provenance of Death i. 6 Publishing your photo in an ad. without a release could be libel. 1970C. Whitman Death out of Focus ix. 130 A photographer would be a damned fool to come in here with a print for which he had no release. 1979R. Cox Auction vii. 186 The late Herr Schneider bequeathed it [sc. a picture] to me and I was given a release by Herbstein as a result.
†3. without release (tr. OF. sans reles), without remission or cessation, continually. Obs.
13..E.E. Allit. P. A. 955 In þat oþer is noȝt bot pes to glene, Þat ay schal laste with-outen reles. c1400tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 90 Þe wirkere of dissolucioun of waters ys with outen reles. 1566Whittingham Ps. li. 3 My sinne alas doth still remayne Before my face without relesse.
4. Law.
a. The act of conveying or making over an estate or right to another, or disposing of it in some legal fashion (see quot. 1594); a deed or document made for this purpose.
c1420Anturs of Arth. l, Here I make the relese in my rentis, by þe rode. c1430Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 117 Thus the burges of the borrowe..He endewed into the place wyth dedes of good relese, In fee for ever more. 1487Rolls of Parlt. VI. 389/2 Which Releasse remayneth with You, Soveraigne Lord; as appereth by the same. 1537in Lett. Suppress. Monast. (Camden) 168 We have taken a releasse and a deade of feofftement of the monasterie of Saint Androse in Northehamptone to the kinges use. 1594West 2nd Pt. Symbol. §466 A Release is an instrument, whereby estates, rightes, titles, entries, actions, and other things be sometimes extinguished, sometimes transferred, sometimes abridged, and sometimes inlarged. 1601Act 43 Eliz. c. 4 §4 By any Conveiance, Gifte, Graunte, Lease, Demise, Release, or Conversion whatsoever. 1607Cowell Interpr. s.v., And there is a Release in fact, and a release in lawe. 1743Viner Abridgm. XVIII. 294 If a Man seised of a Rent in Fee grants it for Life, he may enlarge it by Release. 1766Blackstone Comm. II. 324 Releases; which are a discharge or conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements, to another that hath some former estate in possession. 1844Williams Real Prop. (1877) 135 A release is the proper form of assurance between joint tenants. 1853T. I. Wharton Pennsylv. Digest 470 A release cannot be given in evidence in covenant unless it has been pleaded.
b. lease and release, ‘a conveyance of the fee-simple, right, or interest in lands or tenements, under the Statute of Uses, 27 Hen. 8, c. 10, giving first the possession, and afterwards the interest in the estate conveyed’ (Tomlins).
1682Sir O. Bridgman Conveyances 185 Lease and Release by the Husband for a Provision for his Wife, and Portions for his Children. 1744Jacob Law Dict. (ed. 5) II. s.v. Lease & Release, A Lease and Release made but one Conveyance, being in the nature of one Deed. 1766Blackstone Comm. II. 339 A fourteenth species of conveyance, viz. by lease and release; first invented by serjeant Moore, soon after the statute of uses, and now the most common of any, and therefore not to be shaken. 1841Penny Cycl. XIX. 375/2 In the common conveyance by lease and release, it is usual to give the intended releasee an estate in the land for a year by bargain and sale.
†5. The place where fresh hounds are let slip to take up the chase. Obs.—1 (See relay n. 1.)
1490Caxton Eneydos xv. 53 [They] assembled theyr rennynge houndes, two and two togyder..; Some wyth the brakkenere, for to be atte the reysynge of the beeest, for to renne after; The other for to be sette atte the relesse.
6. a. The action of setting free, or the fact of being set free, from restraint or confinement; permission to go free; also, a document giving formal discharge from custody.
c1586C'tess Pembroke Ps. l. viii, In vaine to others for release you flie, If once on you I griping fingers sett. 1610Shakes. Temp. v. i. 11 All prisoners..They cannot boudge, till your release. 1671Milton P.R. i. 409 Who boast'st release from Hell, and leave to come Into the Heav'n of Heavens. 1759Johnson Rasselas xxxviii, I knew no sum would be thought too great for the release of Pekuah. 1847Emerson Poems, To Rhea Wks. (Bohn) I. 403 These presents be the hostages Which I pawn for my release.
b. The act of letting go something fixed or held in a certain position, or confined in some way; also, any device by which this is effected.
1871Spons' Dict. Engin. IV. 1408 Causing the release of the spring-clips to be earlier or later in the stroke. 1882Ogilvie, Release, in the steam-engine, the opening of the exhaust-port before the stroke is finished, to lessen the back-pressure. 1890Anthony's Photogr. Bull. III. 306 The release is pressed too hard and the shutter slips off. 1892Pall Mall G. 10 Sept. 7/2 A little frame carrying five keys. One of these is the release.
attrib.1884C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. iii. 89/2 The third [hole] is closed by a stopper and capsule, forming a release-valve.
c. Teleph. The action of freeing for further use apparatus or circuitry which has been engaged. Freq. attrib.
1892Pall Mall G. 10 Sept. 7/2 The subscriber presses the release key. 1919J. Poole Pract. Telephone Handbk. (ed. 6) xxi. 368 Its armature short-circuits the no-voltage release magnet and the switch arm falls back to its open position. 1921W. Aitken Automatic Telephone Systems I. 185 The calling receiver may be replaced just before the register is connected and cause a premature release. 1969S. F. Smith Telephony & Telegr. A ii. 39 If a relay were required to have a high value of release current, it would need as many springs as possible of maximum thickness. 1970N. N. Biswas Princ. Telephony iii. 80 This alarm circuit becomes a necessity in all exchanges where the release of the entire switching stages is controlled by the calling subscriber.
d. Phonetics. The action or manner of relaxing or terminating the obstruction involved in articulating a stop consonant.
1920in Webster. 1951Z. S. Harris Methods in Structural Linguistics 44 In some English dialects perhaps the sequence [tr] (post-dental [t] plus voiceless spirant release), are each composed of smaller segments. 1964J. C. Catford in D. Abercrombie et al. Daniel Jones 34 Variations in vocal fold thickness..produce qualitative variations in..the release-sound of glottal stop. 1969English Studies L. 328 This implies that the difference of total duration between [ptk] and [bdg] is very nearly equivalent to the difference of duration of the release stage. 1978Amer. Speech 1975 L. 295 In the style of pronunciation favored by barbershoppers, final voiced stops like those in the key words have a release that gives the impression of an indistinct vowel.
e. Jazz. A passage of music that serves as a bridge between repetitions of a main melody. Chiefly U.S.
1936L. Dowling tr. Panassié's Hot Jazz: Guide to Swing Music 18 The group of eight measures designated by the letter b is called the ‘middle part’ because it makes the first appearance in the middle of the tune. [Translator's note] Also called, quite poetically, ‘the release’. 1937New Republic 24 Nov. 69/1 But then the band comes down to the release and Benny holds up one finger and Jess nods. 1946Mezzrow & Wolfe Really Blues (1957) 344 We played a more staccato style on the release. 1949L. Feather Inside Be-bop ii. 67 In the release there is another beautiful sweeping phrase. 1959Avakian & Prince in M. T. Williams Art of Jazz (1960) xvii. 184 Charlie..develops a series of riffs through the first sixteen bars (tension); then, in the eight-bar release, he contrasts this by playing melodic lines characteristically made up mainly of even eighth notes (relaxation), then returns to eight bars of riffs (tension). 1972A. Wilder Amer. Popular Song ii. 56 The conventional A–A–B–A structure (main strain: its virtual repetition: a release, almost always new material: and finally, a literal, varied, or extended restatement of the main strain) was used in Ol' Man River.
7. The action of releasing information or other material for publication or public showing; the information or material released.
a. (The releasing of) a news item or official statement, usu. to the press. orig. U.S.
1907N.Y. Even. Post (semi-weekly ed.) 15 July 4 The report was given to the press associations..labelled ‘confidential’, with a fixed date for ‘release’, before which no part of it was to be used. 1927G. Ade Let. 31 May (1973) 120, I will be..up to my eyes in the weekly release grind. 1931F. L. Allen Only Yesterday ix. 276 Press agents distributed their canned releases. 1932Atlantic Monthly Mar. 269/1 The press agents..did not pour forth their releases to a.. coöperating press. 1957[see backgrounder]. a1974R. Crossman Diaries (1975) I. 343 The release wasn't ready until a few minutes before I had to deliver the speech.
b. The action of making a film available to cinemas or a gramophone record to purchasers; also, the film or record itself.
1912Motion Picture Ann. 25 An Essanay release called ‘Sunshine’. 1927Daily News 8 June 4/4 Some of the recent ‘releases’ show that Hollywood and Germany are being challenged seriously in the matter of production. 1929‘His Master's Voice’ New Records Mid-June 13 Theme songs from two great American films that are scheduled for release in the autumn. 1932New Yorker 14 May 57/2, I have not seen it [sc. a gramophone record] on any official list and it seems to be a special release. 1949St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer-Press 19 June 11/3 Busiest year on record for total releases is 1921 when American moviegoers had their choice of 854 different features. 1966Illustr. London News 30 July 31/2 Perhaps this could be quietly excised before the film goes out on general release. 1966Guardian 22 Dec. 4/7 In the pop/folk field the best new release is by The Incredible String Band. 1974Times 19 Oct. 9/1 New Releases... Piano Music by Erik Satie. 1977Time 4 July 4 (Advt.), There's a film to watch—a recent release—8 tracks of stereo to listen to, free naturally, and plenty of room to stretch out or stroll about.
8. Special Combs.: release agent, a substance which is applied to a surface in order to prevent adhesion to it, esp. in food packaging and concrete construction; release date, a date fixed for the release of information or other material (see sense 7 above); release group, a group of servicemen due for release from conscripted service; release note, a note authorizing the release of (part of) an aircraft as fit for service; now also in extended use.
1960A. E. Bender Dict. Nutrition 107/2 Release agents, substances applied to tinned or enamelled surfaces or plastic films to prevent the food adhering; e.g. fatty acid amides, microcrystalline waxes, petrolatums, starch, methylcellulose. 1965W. H. Taylor Concrete Technol. & Pract. vii. 160 An ideal release agent..should produce a clean stripping action with a minimum of surface defects on the hardened concrete. 1974Briston & Katan Plastics in Contact with Food iii. 61 Silicone resins are also used as release agents. The baking industry, for instance, uses silicone resins to coat bread baking pans and hundreds of releases from a single coating of resin have been reported.
1910Moving Picture World 26 Mar. 488/1 (heading) Independent release dates. 1932L. C. Douglas Forgive us our Trespasses (1937) xv. 306 He decided not to take another look at the gripping letter until he had done at least one essay. He always tried to keep about three weeks ahead of the release date. 1965Amer. N. & Q. Mar. 105/2 Its fine appendix of ‘Serials from 1912 to 1930’, showing title, director, cast, release date, releasing company.
1945News Chron. 18 Apr. 2/4 We think it would have been much fairer to lower the release group age, such as all men over 45 in Group One and so on, and let some of the youngsters who have been in so-called deferred jobs have a turn. 1946R.A.F. Jrnl. May 149 W.A.A.F. personnel whose release groups have appeared in an advance promulgation are invited to apply for vacancies.
1930Air Ann. Brit. Empire 234 The firm must issue with every consignment they deliver a release note certifying that all inspection has been carried out. 1963Times Rev. Industry Mar. 51/1 When a motor dealer asked a customer from whom he bought a second-hand Wolseley car to sign a ‘release note’, which turned out to be a guarantee of a third party's commitments under a hire-purchase agreement, the customer was not liable on the guarantee.
▪ II. † reˈlease, n.2 Obs. rare—1.
[Later form of reles: cf. release v.2]
Relish.
1604T. Wright Passions v. §4. 189 Things which repugne any way together carrie with them a spice or release of contrarietie.
▪ III. release, v.1|rɪˈliːs|
Forms: 3–5 reles, 4–6 relese, -lesse, -lece, (4 -leese, -leesse, 5 -leece, -lecyn); 4–5 releysche, -lesche, (4 -leische), 5 ralesche, releshe; 5– release, (6 -leace, -leause).
[ad. OF. relesser (12th c.), relaiss(i)er (var. of relâcher):—L. relaxāre to relax.]
I.
†1. trans. To withdraw, recall, revoke, cancel (a sentence, punishment, condition, etc.). Obs.
1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 10297 Þou hast nou..þe pope bisout, Þat he relesi þe entredit. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V. 371 The kyng hadde relesed [v.r. relesched; L. relaxasset] and wiþcleped a wel hard avow þat he hadde i-made. Ibid. VIII. 233 If that he made eny sentence, the legate..scholde have releisched hit. 1422tr. Secreta Secret. 128 Al the Cite..to the Sone relessid the Payne [= penalty] of the eighyn. c1530Crt. of Love 1014 The sixteenth statut doth me grete grevaunce, But ye must that relesse or modifie. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 931 The lyfe was geuen, and the punishment of death releaused. 1629Milton Christ's Nativ. 1, For so the holy sages once did sing, That he our deadly forfeit should release. 1671R. Montagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 501 Getting the King here to release that Article of the Treaty.
†2. To relieve, alleviate, or remove (labour, pain, etc.). Obs.
a1340Hampole Psalter cxviii. [cxix.] 54 Relesand my trauayls and my noy in þis wrechid life. c1386Chaucer Man of Law's T. 971, I prey yow al my labour to relesse. 1423Jas. I Kingis Q. clxxxiv, Beseching vnto fair venus abufe..His paine relesch, and sone to stand In grace. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 99 He begged but one droppe of water, to release his turmentes. 1551Turner Herbal i. B vij b, The iuice that is pressed out, is better & releseth the paine soner. 1597Daniel Civ. Wars vi. lxvi, Would God his blood, and mine had well releast The dangers that his pride is like to breed.
3. To remit; to grant remission or discharge of or for (something);
†a. a vow or task. Obs.
c1315Shoreham i. 1790 Relessed Schel hym nauȝt be religioun, Þaȝ he be nauȝt professed. c1386Chaucer Clerk's T. 97 But ther as ye han profred me..To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse That choys, and prey you of that profre cesse.
†b. sin or wrong-doing. Obs.
c1380Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 77 If preestis have power to relese synne as Cristis vikeris. c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋508 Thilke synne is so greet that vnnethe may it be releessed. 1422tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 134 To a vertues kynge hit appendyth lyghtly to relesse the wronge that is to hym done. 1548Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark iv. 32 Nowe sinnes are not released, but to suche as beleue that sins are freely released. 1574tr. Marlorat's Apocalips 11 Who can release sinnes but onely God?
c. a debt, tax, tribute, etc. Now only Law.
c1386Chaucer Frankl. T. 885 Sire, I releesse thee thy thousand pound,..I wol nat take a peny of thee. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) IV. 107 He..relesede..half þe tribute þat was woned to be payde. c1400tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 57 And also he vsys þat tyme..for to reles party of rentys. 1457Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 295 That he shall have releshyed to hym during hys live the chef rent of an orchard. c1550Disc. Common Weal Eng. (1893) 27 b, If..youe should release youre rent..to the old rate. 1601R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. (1603) 115 A tribute which Leo the 9. did release to the church of Bamburg. 1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lx. (1739) 118 He not only never charged the people with any Tax, but released that of Dane-gelt. 1884Sir W. B. Brett in Law Rep. 14 Q.B. Div. 191 [One] who was competent to do so might have released the debt.
4. a. To give up, resign, relinquish, surrender (esp. a right or claim, in favour of another person).
1390Gower Conf. I. 257 In what wise he may relesse His hihe astat, that wot he noght. Ibid. 271 Echon..preiden for this lordes hele, Which hath relessed the querele. c1400Destr. Troy 13626, I releshe þe my ryght with a rank will, And graunt þe þe gouernanse of þis grete yle. 1470–85Malory Arthur x. xxix. 461 Yf that this knyght slee hym, I fully releece my clayme for euer. a1533Ld. Berners Huon liii. 180 As for the wager that I sholde wyn therby, I am content to relese it quyte. a1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 172 Whiche of you..would concent that the kyng shoulde release his Seignioritie or superioritie of Wales, Irelande or Cornewall? 1596Spenser F.Q. iv. ii. 19 Bidding them fight for honour of their love, And rather die then Ladies cause release. 1665Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 907 As if the Emperor Frederick had released to Philip Duke of Burgundy, all Right of Empire. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 346 Nor will the vanquish'd Bull his Claim release. 1775Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 83 That we should at once release our claims. 1841Penny Cycl. XIX. 376/1 An expectant heir cannot release the right which he may have to his ancestor's estate.
b. spec. To surrender, make over, transfer (land or territory) to another. Chiefly Law.
c1400Rom. Rose 6999, I quethe hym quyte, and hym relesse Of Egipt al the wildirnesse. 1475Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 22 The said Lowes relesid the seide dukedom to the said Richarde. 1593Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, i. i. 51 It is agreed..That the Dutchy of Aniou..shall be released and deliuered to the King her father. 1664Anderson Reports §83, I release all my Lands, &c. to A. and to his Heirs. 1766Blackstone Comm. II. App. 4 The said Abraham Barker and Cecilia his Wife, Have..sold, released, and confirmed..unto the said David Edwards..all that capital messuage called Dale Hall. 1809Bawdwen Domesday Bk. 620 Colsuan did not release the land of Ingemund and his brother to Earl Alan. 1866Geo. Eliot F. Holt i, I trusted to your getting the estate some time, and releasing it; and I determined to keep it worth releasing.
absol.1430–1Rolls of Parlt. IV. 386/1 The whech William gave full astate..of the Burgages, Landes and Tenements aforeseid, and opon that relesed to the seid Suppliant in hir possession. 1462Paston Lett. II. 89 That the seid maner sholde be solde by..his executours, to whom the seid Sir John hath relesed, as his dute was to do. 1766Blackstone Comm. II. 325 If there be two joint disseisors, and the disseisee releases to one of them [etc.].
c. spec. (See quot.)
1876Digby Real Prop. v. §3 (2) 226 When a reversioner desires, not to grant his reversion to a third person, but to convey it to the person who already has the particular estate, he is said to release the reversion.
d. Of a public or military authority: to make available (requisitioned or otherwise withheld items) to the public; to return (land or property) to civilian use.
1917Globe 21 Feb. 4/4 Only this morning a daily paper of some standing remarked that the Government had not ‘released’ any Colonial mutton..last week. 1945Daily Tel. 27 July 3/3 (heading) R.A.F. & Navy to release houses. Ibid., The Admiralty and Air Ministry are to do all they can to alleviate the housing situation by releasing property.
†5. To relax, moderate, mitigate. Obs.
1422tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 128 So he mayntenyd his lawe, and relessit the duresse of the laue. 1606G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine xxxvii. 116 The Massilians intreat the Romaines to release their displeasure against the Phocenses. 1677Govt. Venice 207 They released the severity of that Law.
II.
6. a. To set or make free, to liberate, deliver, of (now somewhat rare) or from pain, bondage, obligation, etc. Also without const.
(a)13..Coer de L. 3034 Ther was no man..myghte do his sorwe sese, Ne off his paynes hym relese. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 3813 For pardon here..May þam relese of þe dede of payn. 1456Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 227 He is presumyt ay to be servand quhill he be releschit of his service. c1470Henry Wallace ii. 361 Quhen Wallace was ralesched off his payne. 1509Hawes Past. Pleas. xxix. (Percy Soc.) 138 Ye shall release Me first of my wo and great distresse. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 205 He shall release the people of theyre othe. 1615G. Sandys Trav. 14 They are in a manner releast of their thraldome, in that vnsensible of it. 1870Tennyson Pelleas & Ettarre 290 Let who will release him of his bonds. 1974Petroleum Rev. XXVIII. 675/3 To release the diver of this chore, remote-controlled systems are being developed.
(b)c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋735 Ihesu crist..relessed vs fro the peynes of helle. 1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 247 The kynges letters thro whom he scholde releysche the ministres of the temple from every tribute. 1590Spenser F.Q. iii. vii. 1 Long after she from perill was releast. 1666Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 201, I suppose you know that the Duke of Buckingham and Marquesse of Dorchester are again releast from the Tow'r. 1738Wesley Ps. li. xv, Thou only canst release My Soul from all Iniquity. 1781Cowper Retirem. 139 A mind released From anxious thoughts. 1817Shelley Pr. Athan. ii. ii. 66 From death and dark forgetfulness released. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 407 The wicked is not released from his evil by death.
(c)c1330Assump. Virg. (B.M. MS.) 529 In what peyne so he be..I schal hem reles sone anone. 1390Gower Conf. III. 186 So that Athenis, which was bounde, Nevere after scholde be relessed. c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 237 Apollo, though Diana hym relese, Yet shall he su to me to haue hys pese. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 176 b, By the kynges authoritie not longe after he was cleane released. 1610Shakes. Temp. v. i. 30 Goe, release them Ariell, My Charmes Ile breake, their sences Ile restore. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 101 Six Seasons use; but then release the Cow. 1738Gray Propertius iii. 87 The hand that can my captive heart release. 1818Shelley Rosal. & Helen 908 His foes released him thence. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxvii. 198, I recommended him to release the horses and leave the carriage to its fate.
absol.c1440Macro Plays (E.E.T.S.) 67/971 All þe preyer þat seyde be kan, With-owt sorowe of hert, relesyt nought. 1651Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxvi. 138 He that can bind, can release.
b. To unfix, free (a thing) from some fastening.
1833Tennyson Two Voices 403 And I arose, and I released the casement.
c. U.S. To make (an employee) redundant. euphem.
1976National Observer (U.S.) 24 Jan. 1/4 The two most difficult things I ever had to do were, one: tell 23 teachers we were going to release them [etc.]. 1977Time 12 Dec. 54/2 He closed 1,700 stores, released 10,000 employees, borrowed heavily to revamp and enlarge the remaining 1,932 supermarkets.
7. To make available for publication or public showing; to publish (printed matter, recorded material or the like). orig. U.S.
1904N.Y. Times 25 July 5 Chairman Cannon's speech and President Roosevelt's response are completed. The latter is in the hands of the press associations, and will be released Wednesday afternoon. 1912Motion Picture Ann. 42 List of Licensed Pictures. Regularly released during the year 1912. 1916‘B. M. Bower’ Phantom Herd v. 71 We've just got to release films the market calls for. 1937A. Thirkell Summer Half xi. 298 If a film gets to Barchester it means it's been released for simply months. 1957Essays & Stud. X. 5 Among words that incur..reproach are..release (the expression ‘to release a film’ is denounced by a bishop as ‘an abominable Americanism’). 1962Sunday Times (Colour Suppl.) 10 June 7 This is also true of American records, a great many of which are only released because companies have to take them to get some really lucrative artist. 1972Daily Tel. 18 Jan. 9/5 Rehearsals have already started and the record is expected to be released some time in the Autumn. 1980Time Out 21–27 Nov. 49/3 Films considered by their multinational distributors as too ‘difficult’ to release conventionally.
Hence released |rɪˈliːst|, ppl. a.
1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iii. 165 A Providence perfectly Intellectual, Abstract and Released. 1850A. Jameson Leg. Monast. Ord. 25 St. Benedict..beheld the released soul of his sister..flying towards Heaven.
Sense 6 c in Dict. becomes 6 d. [II.] [6.] [b.] For def. read: To free (something) from physical restraint or confinement, to allow to move freely, drop, or escape. Phr. to release one's hold, grip (on). Also absol., and intr. for pass. (Later examples.)
1852C. Barter Dorp & Veld viii. 116 As soon as he has seized the bait.., he tightens the string, releases the trigger, and..receives the bullet in his head. a1864A. Gesner Coal, Petroleum (1865) 28 The downward stroke of the walking-beam releases the Auger Stem and Bit for an instant as the Jars slide together. 1875J. Heath Croquet Player 23 The player has only to release his hold, and the clip, closing, fastens itself on the hoop. 1907Westm. Gaz. 21 Nov. 4/2 The adjustment of which is easily affected by releasing a lock-nut. 1912Conrad 'Twixt Land and Sea v. 60, I felt a slight shudder under my hand and released my grip. 1920F. Scott Fitzgerald in Smart Set July 29/1 The bouncer..released his hold on Peter, who..rushed immediately around to the other table. 1930D. Verrill Aircraft Bk. for Boys xi. 189 Pulling the rip-cord and releasing the parachute. 1940[see Schrader n.]. 1945Tee Emm (Air Ministry) V. 35 When the tug started its take off run the glider decided it was best to release. 1946H. Reed Map of Verona 22 This is the safety-catch, which is always released With an easy flick of the thumb. 1950J. O. Hirschfelder et al. Effects of Atomic Weapons i. 14 To release the energy equivalent to twenty kilotons of TNT. 1955[see Spansule n.]. 1969W. Gass Icicles i. 122 Fender's fork poked through the crust of his pie, releasing steam. 1978Amateur Photographer 29 Nov. 88/4 If the dark slide is left in the camera body the shutter won't release until it's removed. 1986‘W. Trevor’ News from Ireland 228 No blind had yet been released, no curtain or shutter opened. 1988J. G. Ballard Running Wild 36 Payne leaned over the bath-taps and released the water from the tub.
c. transf. orig. Psychol. To ease or relieve (a tension); to free, give rein to (an emotional or instinctual drive).
1933W. S. Taylor Critique of Sublimation in Males ix. 89 This young man's total tension of balked dispositions will be eased considerably if in his new environment he can find..situations which can release those response patterns that he had ready. 1936P. T. Young Motivation of Behavior v. 247 Tension and release occur constantly in the trivial events of daily life. The phone rings; a tension is built up and instantly released by answering the call. 1946P. M. Symonds Dynamics of Human Adjustment v. 126 The mother whose own love life is not satisfied and whose sexual needs are not met may release her tensions by sharp, frequent scoldings and punishment of her children. 1961C. & W. M. S. Russell Human Behaviour vi. 283 Exploration for a mate with whom the individual can enjoy himself is now replaced by appetitive behaviour for situations which will release the masturbatory mechanisms. 1967M. Argyle Psychol. Interpersonal Behaviour x. 195 The method..releases extremely powerful emotional forces. 1987P. Auster Country of Last Things (1988) 116, I enjoyed throwing those books into the flames. Perhaps it released some secret anger in me.
▪ IV. † reˈlease, v.2
[Cf. release n.2]
= relish v.1
1604T. Wright Passions v. §2. 167 Some stately maiesticall songs..release I know not what resemblance of action and gesture, consorting with great personages. |