Loos"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loosened (?); 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.
© Webster 1913.
Loos"en, v. i. To become loose; to become less tight, firm, or compact.
S. Sharp.
© Webster 1913. | 
