Hypertext Webster Gateway: "release"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Release \Re*lease"\, n.
1. (Mach.) A device adapted to hold or release a device or
mechanism as required; specif.: (Elec.) A catch on a
motor-starting rheostat, which automatically releases the
rheostat arm and so stops the motor in case of a break in
the field circuit; also, the catch on an electromagnetic
circuit breaker for a motor, which acts in case of an
overload.
2. (Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound.
3. (Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card
conveying information and instructions to be used at
intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Release \Re*lease"\ (r?-l?s"), v. t. [Pref. re + lease to let.]
To lease again; to grant a new lease of; to let back.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Release \Re*lease"\, n.
1. The act of letting loose or freeing, or the state of being
let loose or freed; liberation or discharge from restraint
of any kind, as from confinement or bondage. ``Who
boast'st release from hell.'' --Milton.
2. Relief from care, pain, or any burden.
3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt,
penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance.
4. (Law) A giving up or relinquishment of some right or
claim; a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements
to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim.
--Blackstone.
5. (Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to
allow the steam to escape.
{Lease and release}. (Law) See under {Lease}.
{Out of release}, without cessation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: Liberation; freedom; discharge. See {Death}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
release
n 1: merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a
record or film); "a new release from the London Symphony
Orchestra"
2: the act of liberating someone or something [syn: {liberation},
{freeing}]
3: a process that liberates or discharges something; "there was
a sudden release of oxygen"; "the release of iodine from
the thyroid gland"
4: an announcement distributed to members of the press in order
to supplement or replace an oral presentation [syn: {handout},
{press release}]
5: the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free
to depart) [syn: {dismissal}, {dismission}, {discharge}, {firing},
{liberation}, {sack}, {sacking}]
6: euphemistic expressions for death; "thousands mourned his
passing" [syn: {passing}, {loss}, {departure}, {exit}, {expiration},
{going}]
7: a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or
obligation [syn: {acquittance}]
8: activity that releases or expresses creative energy or
emotion; "she had no other outlet for her feelings" [syn:
{outlet}]
9: the act of allowing a fluid to escape [syn: {spill}, {spillage}]
10: a formal written statement of relinquishment [syn: {waiver},
{discharge}]
11: (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or
tone [syn: {tone ending}]
v 1: release, as from one's hands; "Let go of the door handle,
please!" [syn: {let go of}, {let go}] [ant: {hold}]
2: grant freedom to; free from confinement [syn: {free}, {liberate},
{unloose}, {loose}] [ant: {confine}]
3: let (something) fall or spill a container; "turn the flour
onto a plate" [syn: {turn}]
4: eliminate, as of bodily substances [syn: {discharge}, {expel},
{eject}]
5: prepare and issue for public distribution or sale; "publish
a magazine or newspaper" [syn: {publish}, {bring out}, {put
out}, {issue}]
6: generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids; "secrete
digestive juices" [syn: {secrete}]
7: make available or free for sale or publication [syn: {free}]
8: part with [syn: {relinquish}, {free}, {give up}]
9: make available, as of assets; or free for sale or
publication [syn: {unblock}, {unfreeze}, {free}] [ant: {freeze},
{freeze}]
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