c. 1300, "to withdraw, revoke (a decree, etc.), cancel, lift; remit," from Old French relaissier, relesser "to relinquish, quit, let go, leave behind, abandon, acquit," variant of relacher "release, relax," from Latin relaxare "loosen, stretch out" (see relax), source also of Spanish relajar, Italian relassare.
Meaning "alleviate, ease" is mid-14c., as is sense of "free from (duty, etc.); exonerate." From late 14c. as "grant remission, forgive; set free from imprisonment, military service, etc." Also "give up, relinquish, surrender." In law, c. 1400, "to grant a release of property." Of press reports, attested from 1904; of motion pictures, from 1912; of music recordings, from 1962. As a euphemism for "to dismiss, fire from a job" it is attested in American English since 1904. Related: Released; releasing.
release (n.)
early 14c., "abatement of distress; means of deliverance," from Old French relais, reles (12c.), a back-formation from relesser, relaissier (see release (v.)). In law, mid-14c., "transferring of property or a right to another;" late 14c. as "release from an obligation; remission of a duty, tribute, etc." Meaning "act and manner of releasing" (a bow, etc.) is from 1871. Sense of "action of publication" is from 1907.
双语例句
1. Acupressure is used to release tension spots in the shoulders and neck.
指压按摩用于缓解肩部和颈部的紧张。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He still had a lot of pent-up anger to release.
他还有很多强压的愤怒要发泄。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Her kidnapper successfully extorted a £75,000 ransom for her release.
绑匪成功地勒索了7.5万英镑才将她释放。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Action had been taken to speed up the release of cheques.
已经采取行动加速支票的发放。
来自柯林斯例句
5. A by-product of their meeting was the release of these fourteen men.
