lax
UK: læks | US: læks
adj. not strict, severe, or careful enough
adj. loose or slack in texture or structure
adj. (of the bowels) lacking firmness; diarrheal
The word "lax" traces back to the Latin laxus, meaning "loose" or "slack." It entered Middle English via Old French laxe, retaining its core sense of lacking tightness or strictness. The term evolved to describe both physical looseness (e.g., lax muscles) and metaphorical leniency (e.g., lax rules). Its connection to bodily looseness (e.g., lax bowels) emerged later, reflecting the same root idea of diminished firmness.
The company’s lax security policies led to a data breach.
Her lax attitude toward deadlines frustrated her team.
The rope grew lax after years of use.
The teacher was criticized for being too lax with grading.
He experienced stomach pain due to lax bowels.