releasementn.
/ˌriːˈliːsm(ə)nt/, U.S. /riˈlism(ə)nt/ 1. † b. A document effecting this; a formal declaration of release. Obsolete.
a. The act of releasing, or the fact of being released, from prison, obligation, debt, trouble, etc. Now rare.Very common c1550–1800.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > [noun] > from confinement, trouble, or obligation
quittance?c1225
releasement1548
quitsest1587
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation
remission?1316
loosingc1357
releasec1390
releasing1395
discharginga1398
defeasance1399
quittancea1400
acquittancec1405
discharge1423
absolution1447
acquittinga1450
quietance1451
excusationc1475
relief1496
acquittal?1538
releasement1548
ease1576
excuse1577
relievement1583
excusal1584
exoneration1640
dispensation1653
absolvement1689
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Acts in Paraphr. New Test. viii. f.xxxvv No aunswer made he before him for his releasement [L. absolueretur].
a1575 N. Harpsfield Treat. Divorce Henry VIII (1878) (modernized text) 130 This releasement is general to all the Jews.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 166 He proclaimed vnto the people in generall, a releasement of them from all tributs, impositions, and payments.
1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 1 Then mans nature would find immediate rest and releasement from all evils.
1681 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 150 The earl of Shaftsbury, since his releasement, hath been adviseing with councill.
1715 M. Davies Εἰκων Μικρο-βιβλικὴ 63 Leonard Cox..procur'd his releasement [from the stocks], refresh'd his hungry Stomach, and gave him Mony.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia I. ii. iii. 186 [He] went in search of the lady for whose releasement he had fought.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 42 His short releasement from his cares and toil.
1855 M. Arnold Balder Dead 252 Thou hear'st..The terms of thy releasement hence to Heaven.
1887 H. Caine Deemster III. xl. 203 To have escaped the peril of it [sc. death] seemed a greater blessing than releasement from this island could ever be.
1929 Jrnl. Relig. 9 63 The genius of Baptists is faith, freedom, and fraternity. These concepts cover their spiritual releasement.
2002 Currents in Theol. & Mission (Nexis) 1 Oct. A relationship one takes up to Christ through one's releasement from oneself.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation > formal
quitclaimc1330
absolution1447
releasement1622
1622 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1622–3 (1908) 21 Haveinge gott our relesment by letter from the Nabob..to his Governor.
1771 Hist. Sir William Harrington III. 105 Wording what I declared to be a releasement,..more binding than those promises I pretended to absolve you from.
1800 T. Condie Biogr. Mem. Gen. G. Washington 152 The very next post from Philadelphia, after his petition arrived, brought him a releasement.
2. Relaxation, remission, or removal of a thing; an instance of this. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun] > mitigation or alleviation
allegeancec1325
swaging1340
legeancec1390
mitigationa1400
swagea1400
allegementa1425
alleging?a1425
alleviation?a1425
lighteningc1425
queeming1440
allevation1502
soberinga1510
extenuation1542
assuagement1561
releasement1569
assuaging1580
assuage1596
mitification1607
allayment1609
palliation1813
soothing1847
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 109 Before the releasement of the interdiction, the king was..compelled..to geue ouer both his crowne and scepter.
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 900 By this it appeareth that saluation falleth vnto men, by releasement of the debt.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 1051 Valachia thus impouerished, was not able..to expect any releasement of the euils it was wrapped in.
1647 J. Trapp Comm. Epist. & Rev. (Rom. iii. 25) For the relaxation or releasment of sins, as of bonds or fetters.
1779 Interesting Facts Concerning Popery 10 [Indulgences] are considered in these councils as relaxations or releasements of canonical satisfaction.
1854 Patent 1 Aug. in Jrnl. Franklin Inst. (1855) 59 253 Combining a reservoir of power with an independent cock or hammer, so that by the periodical releasement of said reservoir of power, said hammer shall [etc.].
1906 A. K. Green Chief Legatee iv. xxix. 202 Ransom, under a sudden releasement of the tension of doubt and awe which had hitherto held him speechless,..caught her to his breast.
1942 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 42 13/1 Subsidiary workers, a personnel to which may be assigned many functions, the releasement of which, as duties of the nurse, should have occurred long ago.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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