Lax

Lax

Adjective · /læks/

Definition

Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful; loose or slack in standards, discipline, or performance; not tightly controlled or maintained.

Origin

From Latin laxus (loose, slack, wide), from Proto-Indo-European *slg- (slack). The same root gives English relax, release, laxative, and lease. Used in English from the late 14th century. Also a noun in North American informal use: lacrosse (abbreviated as lax).