(a) To free (sb. from physical constraint, prison, hell, etc.); untie (an ass, a dog), let loose (a dog, the devil, etc.); fig. free (a woman) from Our Lady's bonds; i.e., free (a woman) from confinement at childbirth [quot.: Towneley Pl.]; (b) to free (sb. from someone's control, from an obligation, from sin or distress, etc.); free (will from sensuality), free (property from feudal services); release (sb. from the cloister); absolve (sb.) from sin; ppl. losed, emancipated, ?widowed; (c) to free (the soul from the body); ~ awei, release (sb. from life); (d) without obj.: to free from a constraint or obligation; unbind; ~ and binden, binden and ~ [see also binden 8. (c)].

(a) To untie or loosen (bonds, shoelaces, stitches, etc.), let slip (a leash), cast off (ropes); fig. dissolve (a friendship), untie (the bond of a tongue); ~ of, take off (bonds); (b) to untie and take off (a shoe, a yoke); open (a coffer); unbind (a bundle); remove bandage from (a wound, etc.); ppl. losed, of a boot: having a laced opening; (c) to come undone or unfastened.

(a) To relax (sth. stiff or tense); loosen (the bowels); ppl. losed atwinne, without strength, completely relaxed; (b) to relax (sth. that constricts), loosen (a belt, buckle, etc.), relax (pressure of a foot or heel); ~ atwinne [see atwin(ne 1. (a)]; ~ up, open (a floodgate); (c) fig. to remit (an obligation), remove; (d) to melt (sth.); fig. resolve (a difficulty); (e) without obj.: to break up, disintegrate; ppl. losed, broken.

(a) To draw (a sword), fire (a cannon or siege engine), not to hold back (one's hand); release a bow, let fly with an arrow; ~ oute, draw (a knife); (b) to utter (speech, a joke, etc.), release (information); tell (a story); allow (a book) to circulate.

(a) To detach (sth. from its place, the mind from God); detach (elements) from a compound; disentangle (an anchor); loosen (skin); fig. detach (Christ) from the soul, separate (good from evil); (b) to come away from an adhesion, become disengaged; to disengage oneself; also fig.

To get rid of (sth.), destroy; ppl. losed, of a church: dilapidated.

Surg. (a) To resolve (a gathering of humors, pus, etc.) into normal healthy bodily constituents; losinge medicine, a resolutive medicine; (b) to cut (a part of the body); ~ continuel, ~ (that is) continue, make an incision in a continuous piece of flesh or bone; (c) to release (a bodily issue); (d) to disperse (a gathering of humors); (e) to get rid of (an ache), relieve.

In literal transl.: to deny (Christ).