The Collaborative International Dictionary
Release \Re*lease"\, n.
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.Relief from care, pain, or any burden.
Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt, penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance.
(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.(Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to allow the steam to escape.
(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.
(Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound.
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(Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card conveying information and instructions to be used at intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.
Lease and release. (Law) See under Lease.
Out of release, without cessation. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.Syn: Liberation; freedom; discharge. See Death.