Laxity: meaning, definitions and examples

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laxity

[ˈlaksɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

lack of strictness or discipline

Laxity refers to the quality of being relaxed, lenient, or not strict. It is the opposite of rigor or strictness. In various contexts, laxity can refer to a lack of discipline, control, or attention to detail.

Synonyms

leniency, permissiveness, slackness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
laxity	Used to describe a general state of being careless or not strict, often leading to mistakes or problems. The laxity in safety standards resulted in several accidents. Her laxity in following rules was a cause for concern.

Word

Description / Examples

laxity

Used to describe a general state of being careless or not strict, often leading to mistakes or problems.

The laxity in safety standards resulted in several accidents.
Her laxity in following rules was a cause for concern.

Examples of usage

His laxity in enforcing the rules led to chaos in the organization.
The teacher's laxity in grading assignments resulted in inconsistent evaluations.
We cannot afford to have any laxity in security measures.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

physical or mental looseness

Laxity can also refer to the state of being loose or slack, either physically or mentally. It can describe a lack of tightness, firmness, or tautness in a structure or a mindset.

Synonyms

lack of tension, looseness, slack.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
laxity	Used to describe a relaxed or lenient attitude, often carrying a negative connotation implying carelessness or lack of rigor. The teacher's laxity in enforcing rules led to chaos in the classroom. Laxity in security measures can endanger everyone involved.
looseness	Generally used to refer to a physical object or structure that is not tight. It can also describe an unstructured or relaxed approach, but often lacks the negative tone of 'laxity'. The mechanic noticed the looseness of the bolts and tightened them. Her looseness in handling the project allowed for more creative solutions.
slack	Primarily used to describe something that is not tight or firm, often related to ropes, clothing, or work. It can have a negative connotation when referring to work ethic. The rope was slack, indicating it needed to be tightened. He was criticized for his slack work habits, always missing deadlines.
lack of tension	Typically used to describe a physical state where there is no stress or tightness, often in a neutral context. Yoga helps in reducing stress and promoting a lack of tension in the body. The rope showed a lack of tension, causing concern for its strength.

Examples of usage

The doctor diagnosed the laxity in the ligaments of the patient's knee.
She felt a sense of laxity in her focus and concentration.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'laxitas', which means looseness.
It first appeared in English in the 16th century, highlighting a shift towards discussing rules and order.
Related words like 'lax' mean not strict or rigid, reflecting a sense of relaxation.

Psychology

Excessive laxity in rules can lead to anxiety, as individuals may feel uncertain about expectations.
Research shows that a lack of structure can influence children's performance and behavior in educational settings.
In therapeutic contexts, finding a balance between strictness and laxity can help in developing healthy relationships.

Law and Ethics

Legal laxity refers to situations where laws or regulations are not enforced strictly, which can lead to societal issues.
In corporate settings, lax adherence to ethical standards can result in scandals or financial losses.
Debates often arise about the balance between necessary regulation and the risk of being too lax.

Education

In classrooms, laxity in rules can lead to a chaotic environment, impacting student learning.
Educational experts advocate for consistency in rules to help children understand boundaries.
Some educators employ a lax approach to encourage creativity, demonstrating the need for balance.

Pop Culture

Many characters in movies or literature embody laxity, often leading to humorous or serious consequences.
TV shows sometimes portray lax parenting styles, risking chaotic family dynamics for comedic effect.
The phrase 'it's all good' in popular media sometimes exemplifies a lax attitude towards serious situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "laxity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 laxidade

🇮🇳 ढिलाई

🇩🇪 Nachlässigkeit

🇮🇩 kelonggaran

🇺🇦 недбалість

🇵🇱 luz

🇯🇵 緩さ (yurusa)

🇫🇷 laxisme

🇪🇸 laxitud

🇹🇷 gevşeklik

🇰🇷 느슨함 (neuseunham)

🇸🇦 تراخي

🇨🇿 volnost

🇸🇰 voľnosť

🇨🇳 松弛 (sōngchí)

🇸🇮 ohlapnost

🇮🇸 slak

🇰🇿 босаңдық

🇬🇪 მოშვებულობა

🇦🇿 boşluq

🇲🇽 laxitud

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,371, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20368 interlocutor
20369 excitability
20370 repast
20371 laxity
20372 timidly
20373 obstinately
20374 educationally
...