Release (r?-l?s), v. t. [Pref. re + lease to let.] To lease again; to grant a new lease of; to let back.
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Release, 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.
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2. Relief from care, pain, or any burden.
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3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt, penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance.
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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.
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5. (Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to allow the steam to escape.
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6. (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.
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7. (Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound.
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8. (Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card conveying information and instructions to be used at intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.
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Lease and release. (Law) See under Lease. -- Out of release, without cessation. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Syn. -- Liberation; freedom; discharge. See Death.
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