laxāmentum, i, n. [laxo], an extending, widening.
I Lit. (post-Aug.): ventus laxamentum sibi parat, Sen. Q. N. 6, 18, 3: cellae, Vitr. 4, 7 fin. : ventris, an evacuating, purging , Macr. S. 7, 11.—
B Transf. (in concr.), a wide space, room : choragia laxamentum habeant, ad chorum parandum, Vitr. 5, 9, 1.—
II Trop., a relaxation, mitigation, alleviation, respite (not freq. till after the Aug. per.): si quid laxamenti a bello Samnitium esset, Liv. 9, 41: eo laxamento cogitationibus dato, id. 7, 38 fin. : ut minus laxamenti daretur iis ad auxilia Hannibali submittenda, id. 22, 37; 10, 39: nactus in navigatione pusillum laxamenti, Trebon. ap. Cic. Fam. 12, 16, 3: dare laxamentum legi, laxity, indulgence , Cic. Clu. 33, 89; so, leges rem surdam, inexorabilem esse ... nihil laxamenti nec veniae habere, Liv. 2, 3.