Loos"en (l&oomac;s"'n), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Loosened (l&oomac;s"'nd);
p. pr. & vb. n. Loosening.] [See
Loose, v. t.] 1. To
make loose; to free from tightness, tension, firmness, or fixedness;
to make less dense or compact; as, to loosen a string, or a
knot; to loosen a rock in the earth.
After a year's rooting, then shaking doth the tree
good by loosening of the earth.
Bacon.
2. To free from restraint; to set at
liberty..
It loosens his hands, and assists his
understanding.
Dryden.
3. To remove costiveness from; to facilitate
or increase the alvine discharges of. Bacon.
Loos"en, v. i. To become loose; to
become less tight, firm, or compact. S. Sharp.
