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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)